Hepatitis C inhibitor dipeptide analogs

ABSTRACT

Compounds of formula (I):  
                 
 
wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , n and m are as defined herein. The compounds are useful as inhibitors of HCV NS3 protease.

Benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/589,435, filed on Jul. 20, 2004 is hereby claimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compounds, processes for their synthesis, compositions and methods for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In particular, the present invention provides novel peptide analogs, pharmaceutical compositions containing such analogs and methods for using these analogs in the treatment of HCV infection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major etiological agent of post-transfusion and community-acquired non-A non-B hepatitis worldwide. It is estimated that over 200 million people worldwide are infected by the virus. A high percentage of carriers become chronically infected and many progress to chronic liver disease, so-called chronic hepatitis C. This group is in turn at high risk for serious liver disease such as liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and terminal liver disease leading to death.

The mechanism by which HCV establishes viral persistence and causes a high rate of chronic liver disease has not been thoroughly elucidated. It is not known how HCV interacts with and evades the host immune system. In addition, the roles of cellular and humoral immune responses in protection against HCV infection and disease have yet to be established. Immunoglobulins have been reported for prophylaxis of transfusion-associated viral hepatitis, however, the Center for Disease Control does not presently recommend immunoglobulin treatment for this purpose. The lack of an effective protective immune response is hampering the development of a vaccine or adequate post-exposure prophylaxis measures, so in the near-term, hopes are firmly pinned on antiviral interventions.

Various clinical studies have been conducted with the goal of identifying pharmaceutical agents capable of effectively treating HCV infection in patients afflicted with chronic hepatitis C. These studies have involved the use of interferon-alpha, alone and in combination with other antiviral agents. Such studies have shown that a substantial number of the participants do not respond to these therapies, and of those that do respond favorably, a large proportion were found to relapse after termination of treatment.

Interferon in combination with ribavirin has been approved for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C. However, side effects caused by IFN (such as retinopathy, thyroiditis, acute pancreatitis, depression) are not alleviated with this combination therapy. Pegylated forms of interferons such as PEG-Intron® and Pegasys® can apparently partially address these deleterious side effects but antiviral drugs still remain the avenue of choice for oral treatment of HCV.

Therefore, a need exists for the development of effective antiviral agents for treatment of HCV infection that overcome the limitations of existing pharmaceutical therapies.

HCV is an enveloped positive strand RNA virus in the Flaviviridae family. The single strand HCV RNA genome is approximately 9500 nucleotides in length and has a single open reading frame (ORF) encoding a single large polyprotein of about 3000 amino acids. In infected cells, this polyprotein is cleaved at multiple sites by cellular and viral proteases to produce the structural and non-structural (NS) proteins. In the case of HCV, the generation of mature nonstructural proteins (NS2, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A, and NS5B) is effected by two viral proteases. The first cleaves at the NS2-NS3 junction (henceforth referred to as NS2/3 protease); the second is a serine protease contained within the N-terminal region of NS3 (NS3 protease) and mediates all the subsequent cleavages downstream of NS3, both in cis, at the NS3-NS4A cleavage site, and in trans, for the remaining NS4A-NS4B, NS4B-NS5A and NS5A-NS5B sites. The NS4A protein appears to serve multiple functions, acting as a cofactor for the NS3 protease and possibly assisting in the membrane localization of NS3 and other viral replicase components. The complex formation of the NS3 protease with NS4A seems necessary to the processing events, enhancing the proteolytic efficiency at all of the sites. The NS3 protein also exhibits nucleoside triphosphatase and RNA helicase activities. NS5B is a RNA-dependent RNA polymerase that is involved in the replication of HCV.

A general strategy for the development of antiviral agents is to inactivate virally encoded enzymes that are essential for the replication of the virus. In a two day clinical trial, it has been shown that the HCV NS3 protease inhibitor BILN 2061 is effective in rapidly reducing viral loads in patients infected with the hepatitis C virus (Gastroenterology (2004) 127(5): 1347-1355), thus providing proof of principle of the clinical antiviral activity of HCV NS3 protease inhibitors.

The NS3 protease has been found to potentially have an additional impact by blocking the IFN-mediated cellular antiviral activity in the infected cell (Foy et al., Science (2003) 300: 1145-1148). This lends credence to a hypothesis that the NS3/NS4A protease may represent a dual therapeutic target, the inhibition of which may both block viral replication and restore Interferon response of HCV infected cells.

Inhibitors of the HCV NS3 protease have been described in WO 00/09543 (Boehringer Ingelheim), WO 03/064456 (Boehringer Ingelheim), WO 03/064416 (Boehringer Ingelheim), WO 2004/101602 (Boehringer Ingelheim), WO 2004/101605 (Boehringer Ingelheim), WO 2004/103996 (Boehringer Ingelheim), WO 02/060926 (Bristol-Myers Squibb), WO 03/053349 (Bristol-Myers Squibb), WO 03/099316 (Bristol-Myers Squibb), WO 03/099274 (Bristol-Myers Squibb), WO 2004/032827 (Bristol-Myers Squibb) and WO 2004/043339 (Bristol-Myers Squibb). As well, phenethylamide dipeptide inhibitors of the HCV NS3 protease have been described in Orvieto et al, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters (2003) 13: 2745-8 and in Nizi et al, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters (2004) 14: 2151-4.

In WO 2004/043339, WO 03/099274, WO 03/053349, and WO 02/060926, dipeptide synthetic intermediates bearing a tert-butyloxycarbonyl group are described.

The present invention now provides novel compounds that are inhibitory to the NS3 protease. Furthermore, compounds being active in cell culture are provided.

An advantage of one aspect of the present invention resides in the fact that compounds according to this invention specifically inhibit the NS3 protease and do not show significant inhibitory activity against other serine proteases such as human leukocyte elastase (HLE), porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE), or bovine pancreatic chymotrypsin, or cysteine proteases such as human liver cathepsin B (Cat B).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Included in the scope of the invention is a compound of formula (I):

wherein

-   n is 1 or 2; -   m is 1 or 2; -   R¹ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, or (C₂₋₆)alkynyl; wherein the     (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, and (C₂₋₆)alkynyl are optionally     substituted at one or more substitutable positions with from one to     three halogen atoms; -   R² is selected from —NH—R²⁰, —O—R²⁰, —S—R²⁰, —SO—R²⁰, —SO₂—R²⁰,     —OCH₂—R²⁰, and —CH₂O—R² , wherein     -   R²⁰ is aryl or Het, the aryl and Het each being optionally         substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein     -   R²⁰⁰ is one to four substituents each independently selected         from H, halogen, cyano, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl,         aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, aryl, Het, oxo, thioxo, —OR²⁰¹, —SR²⁰¹,         —SOR²⁰¹, —SO₂R²⁰¹, —N(R²⁰²)R²⁰¹, and —CON(R²⁰²)R²⁰¹; wherein         each of the alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl and Het is optionally         further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰;     -   R²⁰¹ in each case is independently selected from H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl,         aryl, (C₂₋₄)alkenyl, (C₂₋₄)alkynyl, —CO—(C₁₋₆)alkyl and         —CO—O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, wherein each of the alkyl and aryl is         optionally further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰;     -   R²⁰² is H or (C₁₋₆)alkyl;     -   R²⁰⁰⁰ is one to three substituents each independently selected         from halogen, R²⁰⁰³, aryl, Het, —OR²⁰⁰¹, —SR²⁰⁰¹, —SOR²⁰⁰¹,         —SO₂R²⁰⁰¹, cyano and —N(R²⁰⁰²)(R²⁰⁰¹), wherein the aryl and Het         are each optionally substituted with one, two or three         substituents each independently selected from (C₁₋₄)alkyl and         —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl;     -   R²⁰⁰¹ in each case is independently selected from aryl,         aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, —C(O)—R²⁰⁰³, —C(O)O—R²⁰⁰³, —CON(R²⁰⁰²)(R²⁰⁰⁴)         and R²⁰⁰⁴;     -   R²⁰⁰² in each case is independently selected from H and         (C₁₋₆)alkyl;     -   R²⁰⁰³ in each case is independently selected from (C₁₋₈)alkyl,         (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl and (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, wherein the         (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl and (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl- are each         optionally substituted with one to three substituents each         independently selected from (C₁₋₃)alkyl; and     -   R²⁰⁰⁴ in each case is independently selected from H and R²⁰⁰³; -   R³ is selected from:     -   (i) —C(O)OR³¹ wherein R³¹ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl or aryl, wherein the         (C₁₋₆)alkyl is optionally substituted with one to three halogen         substituents;     -   (ii) —C(O)NR³²R³³, wherein R³² and R³³ are each independently         selected from H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, and Het;     -   (iii) —SO_(v)R³⁴ wherein v is 1 or 2 and R³⁴ is selected from:         (C₁₋₆)alkyl, aryl, Het, and NR³²R³³ wherein R³² and R³³ are as         defined above; and     -   (iv) —C(O)—R³⁵, wherein R³⁵ is selected from (C₁₋₈)alkyl,         (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, aryl,         aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, Het and Het-(C₁₋₆)alkyl, each of which are         optionally substituted with one or more substituents each         independently selected from halo, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl,         aryl, Het, hydroxyl, —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —S—(C₁₋₆)alkyl,         —SO—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —SO₂—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —O-aryl, —S-aryl, —SO-aryl         and —SO₂-aryl, wherein the aryl portion of the —O-aryl, —S-aryl,         —SO-aryl and —SO₂-aryl are each optionally substituted with one         to five halo substituents; -   R⁴ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl,     (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, aryl, Het, aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, or     Het-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-;     -   a) the (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, aryl, Het,         (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, and         Het-(C₁₋₄)alkyl- optionally being substituted with one, two or         three substituents each independently selected from halogen,         nitro, hydroxy, cyano, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, O-aryl,         —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —NH₂,         —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl and —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, wherein the (C₁₋₆)alkyl and         O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl are optionally substituted with one to three         halogen substituents; and     -   b) the (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl being optionally substituted with one or         more substituents each independently selected from nitro,         halogen, hydroxy, cyano, —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₂₋₄)alkenyl, —OCF₃,         —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, tri(C₁₋₆)alkylsilyl,         R⁴¹, —C(═O)—R⁴¹, —C(═O)OR⁴¹, —C(═O)N(R⁴²)R⁴¹, —SO₂R⁴¹ , and         —OC(═O)—R⁴¹;         wherein R⁴¹ in each case is independently selected from:         -   i) H, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₄₋₇)cycloalkenyl, Het, or             aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-O—;         -   ii) aryl or aryloxy, each of which being optionally             substituted with (C₁₋₆)alkyl; and         -   iii) (C₁₋₈)alkyl optionally substituted with one or more             substituents each independently selected from             —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxy, halogen, (C₂₋₁₀)alkenyl,             (C₂₋₁₀)alkynyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₄₋₇)cycloalkenyl, aryl,             Het, aryloxy, and aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-O—, wherein each of the             aryl and aryloxy is optionally substituted with (C₁₋₈)alkyl;             and             R⁴² is selected from H and (C₁₋₆)alkyl; or     -   R⁴ is —N(R^(N2))(R^(N1)), wherein R^(N1) and R^(N2) are each         independently selected from H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl,         (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, aryl and         aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-; wherein the (C₁₋₆)alkyl, —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl,         (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, aryl and         aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl- are each optionally substituted with one or         more substituents each independently selected from halogen,         (C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxy, cyano, O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —NH₂,         —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl,         —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —COOH, and —COO(C₁₋₆)alkyl; or     -   R^(N2) and R^(N1) are linked, together with the nitrogen to         which they are bonded, to form a 3- to 7-membered monocyclic         saturated or unsaturated heterocycle optionally fused to at         least one other cycle to form a heteropolycycle, the heterocycle         and heteropolycycle each optionally containing from one to three         further heteroatoms each independently selected from N, S and O,         and being optionally substituted with one or more substituents         each independently selected from halogen, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxy,         cyano, O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂,         —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —COOH, and         —COO(C₁₋₆)alkyl;         wherein Het as used herein is defined as a 3- to 7-membered         heterocycle having 1 to 4 heteroatoms each independently         selected from O, N and S, which may be saturated, unsaturated or         aromatic, and which is optionally fused to at least one other         cycle to form a 4- to 14-membered heteropolycycle having         wherever possible 1 to 5 heteroatoms, each independently         selected from O, N and S, the heteropolycycle being saturated,         unsaturated or aromatic;         with the proviso that -   when n is 1; m is 2; R¹ is ethyl or ethenyl; and -   R² is —O—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ is Het, wherein the Het is selected from:     and wherein the Het is optionally substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein     R²⁰⁰ is one or two substituents each independently selected from     methyl, methoxy, chloro, fluoro, hydroxy, phenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl,     4-(dimethylamino)phenyl, 4-cyanophenyl, and a group selected from:     and -   R⁴ is cyclopropyl optionally substituted with propyl,     cyclopropylmethyl or phenylmethyl; and -   R³ is —COOR³¹; -   then R³¹ is not 1,1-dimethylethyl;     or a racemate, diastereoisomer, or optical isomer thereof, including     a salt thereof.

One aspect of the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-hepatitis C virally effective amount of a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier medium or auxiliary agent.

According to an embodiment of this aspect, the pharmaceutical composition according to this invention additionally comprises a therapeutically effective amount of at least one other antiviral agent.

Another important aspect of the invention involves a method of treating or preventing a hepatitis C viral infection in a mammal by administering to the mammal an anti-hepatitis C virally effective amount of a compound of formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a composition as described above, alone or in combination with at least one other antiviral agent, administered together or separately.

Also within the scope of this invention is the use of a compound of formula (I) as described herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the treatment or prevention of hepatitis C viral infection in a mammal.

Further encompassed within the scope of this invention is the use of a compound of formula (I) as described herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of hepatitis C viral infection in a mammal.

A further aspect of the invention provides the use of a compound of formula (I), as described herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in combination with at least one other antiviral agent, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of hepatitis C viral infection.

Still another aspect of this invention relates to a method of inhibiting the replication of hepatitis C virus by exposing the virus to a hepatitis C viral NS3 protease inhibiting amount of the compound of formula (I) according to this invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Further included in the scope of the invention is the use of a compound of formula (I) according to this invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to inhibit the replication of hepatitis C virus.

An additional aspect of this invention refers to an article of manufacture comprising a composition effective to treat an HCV infection or to inhibit the NS3 protease of HCV; and packaging material comprising a label which indicates that the composition can be used to treat infection by the hepatitis C virus; wherein the composition comprises a compound of formula (I) according to this invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In a further aspect of this invention is provided a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I), comprising the steps of:

-   a) reacting a compound of formula (II):     wherein R⁴ and m are as defined herein, with a strong base so as to     form the corresponding amide anion and -   b) reacting an azalactone of formula (Ill):     wherein R¹, R², R³, and n are as defined herein, with the amide     anion formed in step a).

In yet a further aspect of the present invention is provided an azalactone intermediate compound of formula (III):

wherein R¹, R², R³ and n are as defined herein.

A further aspect of this invention is the use of the intermediate azalactone of formula (III) as described hereinbefore in the preparation of an HCV NS3 protease inhibitor peptide analog.

Another aspect of this invention is the use of the intermediate azalactone of formula (III) as described hereinbefore in the preparation of an HCV NS3 protease inhibitor of formula (I) as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Definitions

As used herein, the following definitions apply unless otherwise noted.

With reference to the instances where (R) or (S) is used to designate the absolute configuration of a substituent or asymmetric center of a compound of formula (I), the designation is done in the context of the whole compound and not in the context of the substituent or asymmetric center alone.

The designations “P2, P1 and P1′” as used herein refer to the position of the amino acid residues starting from the N-terminus of the peptide analogs and extending towards and beyond the cleavage site, i.e. the bond in a substrate of the protease enzyme which is normally cleaved by the catalytic action of the protease enzyme. Thus, P2 refers to position 2 from the C-terminal side of the cleavage site, etc. The bond between the P1 and P1′ residues corresponds to the cleavage site. Thus, the P1′ position corresponds to the first position on the N-terminal side of the cleavage site (see Berger A. & Schechter I., Transactions of the Royal Society London series B257, 249-264 (1970)). In the context of the compounds of formula (I) herein described, these positions are as designated in the following formula:

The term “(C_(1-n))alkyl” as used herein, wherein n is an integer, either alone or in combination with another substituent, means acyclic, straight or branched chain alkyl substituents containing from 1 to n carbon atoms. “(C₁₋₆)alkyl” includes, but is not limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, 1-methylethyl (iso-propyl), 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl (tert-butyl), pentyl and hexyl. The abbreviation Me denotes a methyl group and Et denotes an ethyl group.

The term “(C_(2-n))alkenyl”, as used herein, wherein n is an integer, either alone or in combination with another radical, is intended to mean an unsaturated, acyclic straight or branched chain radical containing two to n carbon atoms, at least two of which are bonded to each other by a double bond. Examples of such radicals include, but are not limited to, ethenyl (vinyl), 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, and 1-butenyl. Unless specified otherwise, the term “(C_(2-n))alkenyl” is understood to encompass individual stereoisomers where possible, including but not limited to (E) and (Z) isomers, and mixtures thereof. When a (C_(2-n)) alkenyl group is substituted, it is understood to be substituted on any carbon atom thereof which would otherwise bear a hydrogen atom, unless specified otherwise.

The term “(C_(2-n))alkynyl”, as used herein, wherein n is an integer, either alone or in combination with another radical, is intended to mean an unsaturated, acyclic straight or branched chain radical containing two to n carbon atoms, at least two of which are bonded to each other by a triple bond. Examples of such radicals include, but are not limited to, ethynyl, 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl, and 1-butynyl. When a (C_(2-n))alkynyl group is substituted, it is understood to be substituted on any carbon atom thereof which would otherwise bear a hydrogen atom, unless specified otherwise.

The term “(C_(3-m))cycloalkyl” as used herein, wherein m is an integer, either alone or in combination with another substituent, means a cycloalkyl substituent containing from 3 to m carbon atoms and includes, but is not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl.

The term “(C_(3-m))cycloalkyl-(C_(1-n))alkyl-” as used herein, wherein n and m are both integers, means an alkyl radical containing from 1 to n carbon atoms to which a cycloalkyl radical containing from 3 to m carbon atoms is directly linked; including, but not limited to, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, 1-cyclopentylethyl, 2-cyclopentylethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, 1-cyclohexylethyl and 2-cyclohexylethyl. Unless specified otherwise, a (C_(3-n))cycloalkyl-(C_(1-n))alkyl- group may be substituted on either the cycloalkyl or the alkyl portion thereof, or both.

The term “aryl” as used herein, either alone or in combination with another radical, means a carbocyclic aromatic monocyclic group containing 6 carbon atoms which may be further fused to a second 5- or 6-membered carbocyclic group which may be aromatic, saturated or unsaturated. Aryl includes, but is not limited to, phenyl, indanyl, 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl and tetrahydronaphthyl.

As used herein, the term “aryl-(C_(1-n))alkyl-” means an alkyl radical containing from 1 to n carbon atoms, wherein n is an integer, to which an aryl radical is bonded. Examples of aryl-(C₁₋ ₃)alkyl- include, but are not limited to, benzyl (phenylmethyl), 1-phenylethyl, 2-phenylethyl and phenylpropyl. Unless specified otherwise, an aryl-(C_(1-n))alkyl- group may be substituted on either the cycloalkyl or the alkyl portion thereof, or both.

As used herein, the term “Het” defines a 3- to 7-membered heterocycle having 1 to 4 heteroatoms each independently selected from O, N and S, which may be saturated, unsaturated or aromatic, and which is optionally fused to at least one other cycle to form a 4- to 14-membered heteropolycycle having wherever possible 1 to 5 heteroatoms, each independently selected from O, N and S, the heteropolycycle being saturated, unsaturated or aromatic, unless specified otherwise.

As used herein the term “heteroatom” means O, S or N.

As used herein, the term “heterocycle”, either alone or in combination with another radical, means a monovalent radical derived by removal of a hydrogen from a three- to seven-membered saturated or unsaturated (including aromatic) heterocycle containing from one to four heteroatoms each independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. Examples of such heterocycles include, but are not limited to, azetidine, pyrrolidine, furan, tetrahydrofuran, thiazolidine, pyrrole, thiophene, hydantoin, diazepine, 1H-imidazole, isoxazole, thiazole, tetrazole, piperidine, piperazine, homopiperidine, homopiperazine, pyran, tetrahydropyran, 1,4-dioxane, 4-morpholine, 4-thiomorpholine, pyridine, pyridine-N-oxide or pyrimidine, or the following heterocycles:

As used herein, the term “heteropolycycle” either alone or in combination with another radical, means a heterocycle as defined above fused to one or more other cycle, be it a heterocycle or any other cycle. Examples of such heteropolycycles include, but are not limited to, indole, benzimidazole, thiazolo[4,5-b]-pyridine, quinoline, isoquinoline, or coumarin, or the following:

The term “O—(C_(1-n))alkyl” or “(C_(1-n))alkoxy” as used herein interchangeably, either alone or in combination with another radical, means the radical —O—(C_(1-n))alkyl wherein alkyl is as defined above containing from 1 to n carbon atoms, and includes, but is not limited to, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 1-methylethoxy, butoxy and 1,1-dimethylethoxy. The latter radical is known commonly as tert-butoxy. When an O—(C_(1-n))alkyl radical is substituted, it is understood to be substituted on the (C_(1-n))alkyl portion thereof.

As used herein, the term “—S—(C_(1-n))alkyl” or “(C_(1-n))alkylthio”, used interchangeably, refers to a sulfur atom further bonded to an alkyl radical as defined above containing from 1 to n carbon atoms. Examples of (C₁₋₆)alkylthio include, but are not limited to, methylthio (CH₃S—), ethylthio (CH₃CH₂S—), propylthio (CH₃CH₂CH₂S—), 1-methylethylthio (isopropylthio (CH₃)₂CHS—), 1,1-dimethylethylthio (tert-butylthio; (CH₃)₃CS—), etc. When an —S—(C_(1-n))alkyl radical is substituted, it is understood to be substituted on the (C_(1-n))alkyl portion thereof.

The term “halo” or “halogen” as used herein interchangeably means a halogen substituent selected from fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo.

The term “oxo” as used herein means an oxygen atom attached as a substituent by a double bond (═O).

The term “thioxo” as used herein means an sulfur atom attached as a substituent by a double bond (═S).

The term “salt thereof” means any acid and/or base addition salt of a compound according to the invention; preferably a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” means a salt of a compound of formula (I) which is, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans and lower animals without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response, and the like, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio, generally water or oil-soluble or dispersible, and effective for their intended use. The term includes pharmaceutically-acceptable acid addition salts and pharmaceutically-acceptable base addition salts. Lists of suitable salts are found in, e.g., S. M. Birge et al., J. Pharm. Sci., 1977, 66, pp. 1-19.

The term “pharmaceutically-acceptable acid addition salt” means those salts which retain the biological effectiveness and properties of the free bases and which are not biologically or otherwise undesirable, formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, sulfamic acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like, and organic acids such as acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, adipic acid, ascorbic acid, aspartic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, benzoic acid, butyric acid, camphoric acid, camphorsulfonic acid, cinnamic acid, citric acid, digluconic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, glutamic acid, glycolic acid, glycerophosphoric acid, hemisulfic acid, hexanoic acid, formic acid, fumaric acid, 2-hydroxyethane-sulfonic acid (isethionic acid), lactic acid, hydroxymaleic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, mandelic acid, mesitylenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acid, nicotinic acid, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, oxalic acid, pamoic acid, pectinic acid, phenylacetic acid, 3-phenylpropionic acid, pivalic acid, propionic acid, pyruvic acid, salicylic acid, stearic acid, succinic acid, sulfanilic acid, tartaric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, undecanoic acid, and the like.

The term “pharmaceutically-acceptable base addition salt” means those salts which retain the biological effectiveness and properties of the free acids and which are not biologically or otherwise undesirable, formed with inorganic bases such as ammonia or hydroxide, carbonate, or bicarbonate of ammonium or a metal cation such as sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, aluminum, and the like. Particularly preferred are the ammonium, potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium salts. Salts derived from pharmaceutically-acceptable organic nontoxic bases include salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, quaternary amine compounds, substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines, cyclic amines and basic ion-exchange resins, such as methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, isopropylamine, tripropylamine, tributylamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, 2-diethylaminoethanol, dicyclohexylamine, lysine, arginine, histidine, caffeine, hydrabamine, choline, betaine, ethylenediamine, glucosamine, methylglucamine, theobromine, purines, piperazine, piperidine, N-ethylpiperidine, tetramethylammonium compounds, tetraethylammonium compounds, pyridine, N,N-dimethylaniline, N-methylpiperidine, N-methylmorpholine, dicyclohexylamine, dibenzylamine, N,N-dibenzylphenethylamine, 1-ephenamine, N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine, polyamine resins, and the like. Particularly preferred organic nontoxic bases are isopropylamine, diethylamine, ethanolamine, trimethylamine, dicyclohexylamine, choline, and caffeine.

The term “mammal” as it is used herein is meant to encompass humans, as well as non-human mammals which are susceptible to infection by hepatitis C virus including domestic animals, such as cows, pigs, horses, dogs and cats, and non-domestic animals.

The term “antiviral agent” as used herein means an agent (compound or biological) that is effective to inhibit the formation and/or replication of a virus in a mammal. This includes agents that interfere with either host or viral mechanisms necessary for the formation and/or replication of a virus in a mammal. Such agents include but are not limited to another anti-HCV agent, an HIV inhibitor, an HAV inhibitor and an HBV inhibitor. Antiviral agents include, for example, ribavirin, amantadine, VX-497 (merimepodib, Vertex Pharmaceuticals), VX-498 (Vertex Pharmaceuticals), Levovirin, Viramidine, Ceplene (maxamine), XTL-001 and XTL-002 (XTL Biopharmaceuticals).

The term “other anti-HCV agent” as used herein means those agents that are effective for diminishing or preventing the progression of hepatitis C related symptoms of disease. Such agents can be selected from: immunomodulatory agents, inhibitors of HCV NS3 protease, inhibitors of HCV polymerase or inhibitors of another target in the HCV life cycle.

The term “immunomodulatory agent” as used herein means those agents (compounds or biologicals) that are effective to enhance or potentiate the immune system response in a mammal. Immunomodulatory agents include, for example, class I interferons (such as α-, β-, δ- and omega interferons, tau-interferons, consensus interferons and asialo-interferons), class II interferons (such as γ-interferons), pegylated interferons and conjugated interferons, including but not limited to interferons conjugated with other proteins including but not limited to human albumin.

The term “inhibitor of HCV NS3 protease” as used herein means an agent (compound or biological) that is effective to inhibit the function of HCV NS3 protease in a mammal. Inhibitors of HCV NS3 protease include, but are not limited to, those compounds described in WO 99/07733, WO 99/07734, WO 00/09558, WO 00/09543, WO 00/59929, WO 03/064416, WO 03/064455, WO 03/064456, WO 2004/037855, WO 2004/101602, WO 2004/101605, WO 2004/103996 and co-pending patent application Ser. Nos. 10/945,518, 11/039,698; herein incorporated by reference in their entirety (all by Boehringer Ingelheim), WO 02/060926, WO 03/053349, WO 03/099274, WO 03/099316, WO 2004/032827, WO 2004/043339, WO 2004/094452 (all by BMS), WO 2004/072243, WO 2004/093798, WO 2004/113365, WO 2005/010029 (all by Enanta) and WO 2005/037214 (Intermune), and the Vertex candidate identified as VX-950.

-   The term “inhibitor of HCV polymerase” as used herein means an agent     (compound or biological) that is effective to inhibit the function     of an HCV polymerase in a mammal. This includes, but is not limited     to, non-nucleoside and nucleoside inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase.

Examples of inhibitors of HCV polymerase include but are not limited to those compounds described in: WO 02/04425 (Boehringer Ingelheim) WO 03/007945 (Boehringer Ingelheim), WO 03/010140 (Boehringer Ingelheim), WO 03/010141 (Boehringer Ingelheim), WO 2004/064925 (Boehringer Ingelheim), WO 2004/065367 (Boehringer Ingelheim), WO 2005/012288 (Genelabs), WO 2004/087714 (IRBM), WO 03/101993 (Neogenesis), WO 03/026587 (BMS), WO 03/000254 (Japan Tobacco), and WO 01/47883 (Japan Tobacco), and the clinical candidates JTK-003 (Japan Tobacco), HCV 086 (ViroPharma/Wyeth), R-803 (Rigel) and NM 283 (Idenix/Novartis).

The term “inhibitor of another target in the HCV life cycle” as used herein means an agent (compound or biological) that is effective to inhibit the formation and/or replication of HCV in a mammal other than by inhibiting the function of the HCV NS3 protease. This includes agents that interfere with either host or HCV viral mechanisms necessary for the formation and/or replication of HCV in a mammal. Inhibitors of another target in the HCV life cycle include, for example, agents that inhibit a target selected from a helicase, a NS2/3 protease and an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and agents that interfere with the function of other viral targets including but not limited to an NS5A protein.

The term “HIV inhibitor” as used herein means an agents (compound or biological) that is effective to inhibit the formation and/or replication of HIV in a mammal. This includes agents that interfere with either host or viral mechanisms necessary for the formation and/or replication of HIV in a mammal. HIV inhibitors include, for example, nucleoside inhibitors, non-nucleoside inhibitors, protease inhibitors, fusion inhibitors and integrase inhibitors.

The term “HAV inhibitor” as used herein means an agent (compound or biological) that is effective to inhibit the formation and/or replication of HAV in a mammal. This includes agents that interfere with either host or viral mechanisms necessary for the formation and/or replication of HAV in a mammal. HAV inhibitors include Hepatitis A vaccines, for example, Havrix® (GlaxoSmithKline), VAQTA® (Merck) and Avaxim® (Aventis Pasteur).

The term “HBV inhibitor” as used herein means an agent (compound or biological) that is effective to inhibit the formation and/or replication of HBV in a mammal. This includes agents that interfere with either host or viral mechanisms necessary for the formation and/or replication of HBV in a mammal. HBV inhibitors include, for example, agents that inhibit HBV viral DNA polymerase or HBV vaccines. Specific examples of HBV inhibitors include Lamivudine (Epivir-HBV®), Adefovir Dipivoxil, Entecavir, FTC (Coviracil®), DAPD (DXG), L-FMAU (Clevudine®), AM365 (Amrad), Ldt (Telbivudine), monoval-LdC (Valtorcitabine), ACH-126,443 (L-Fd4C) (Achillion), MCC478 (Eli Lilly), Racivir (RCV), Fluoro-L and D nucleosides, Robustaflavone, ICN 2001-3 (ICN), Bam 205 (Novelos), XTL-001 (XTL), Imino-Sugars (Nonyl-DNJ) (Synergy), HepBzyme; and immunomodulator products such as: interferon alpha 2b, HE2000 (Hollis-Eden), Theradigm (Epimmune), EHT899 (Enzo Biochem), Thymosin alpha-1 (Zadaxin®), HBV DNA vaccine (PowderJect), HBV DNA vaccine (Jefferon Center), HBV antigen (OraGen), BayHep B® (Bayer), Nabi-HB® (Nabi) and Anti-hepatitis B (Cangene); and HBV vaccine products such as the following: Engerix B, Recombivax HB, GenHevac B, Hepacare, Bio-Hep B, TwinRix, Comvax, Hexavac.

The term “class I interferon” as used herein means an interferon selected from a group of interferons that all bind to receptor type I. This includes both naturally and synthetically produced class I interferons. Examples of class I interferons include α-, β-, δ-, ω-interferons, τ-interferons, consensus interferons, asialo-interferons and pegylated forms thereof.

The term “class II interferon” as used herein means an interferon selected from a group of interferons that all bind to receptor type II. Examples of class II interferons include γ-interferons.

Specific preferred examples of some of these agents are listed below:

-   -   antiviral agents: ribavirin and amantadine;     -   immunomodulatory agents: class I interferons, class II         interferons, pegylated interferons and conjugated interferons;     -   HCV polymerase inhibitors: nucleoside analogs and         non-nucleosides;     -   inhibitor of another target in the HCV life cycle: agents that         inhibit a target selected from a helicase, a NS2/3 protease and         an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and agents that interfere         with the function of other viral targets including but not         limited to an NS5A protein;     -   HIV inhibitors: nucleoside inhibitors, non-nucleoside         inhibitors, protease inhibitors, fusion inhibitors and integrase         inhibitors; or     -   HBV inhibitors: agents that inhibit viral DNA polymerase or is         an HBV vaccine.

As discussed above, combination therapy is contemplated wherein a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is co-administered with at least one additional agent selected from: an antiviral agent, an immunomodulatory agent, another inhibitor of HCV NS3 protease, an inhibitor of HCV polymerase, an inhibitor of another target in the HCV life cycle, an HIV inhibitor, an HAV inhibitor and an HBV inhibitor. Examples of such agents are provided in the Definitions section above. These additional agents may be combined with the compounds of this invention to create a single pharmaceutical dosage form. Alternatively these additional agents may be separately administered to the patient as part of a multiple dosage form, for example, using a kit. Such additional agents may be administered to the patient prior to, concurrently with, or following the administration of wherein a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

As used herein, the term “treatment” means the administration of a compound or composition according to the present invention to alleviate or eliminate symptoms of the hepatitis C disease and/or to reduce viral load in a patient.

As used herein, the term “prevention” means the administration of a compound or composition according to the present invention post-exposure of the individual to the virus but before the appearance of symptoms of the disease, and/or prior to the detection of the virus in the blood, to prevent the appearance of symptoms of the disease and/or to prevent the virus from reaching detectible levels in the blood.

As used herein, the symbol

used to represent a bond to or from a stereogenic centre means that the stereochemistry at that centre is mixed. For example, when the stereogenic centre is a chiral centre, the symbol

means that the stereochemistry at that centre is a mixture of (R) and (S). As an alternative example, when the stereogenic centre gives rise to geometric isomerism, the symbol

means that the stereochemistry at that centre is a mixture of (E) and (Z).

As used herein, the designation whereby a bond to a substituent R is drawn as emanating from the center of a ring, such as, for example,

means that the substituent R may be attached to any free position on the ring that would otherwise be substituted with a hydrogen atom, unless specified otherwise.

The following sign

is used in sub-formulas to indicate the bond which is connected to the rest of the molecule as defined.

Preferred Embodiments

In the following preferred embodiments, groups and substituents of the compounds of formula (I) according to this invention are described in detail. Groups, substituents and indices are defined as hereinbefore unless stated otherwise.

m:

Preferred compounds of formula (I) of the present invention are those wherein m is 2.

Alternatively, preferred compounds of formula (I) are those wherein m is 1.

Any and each individual definition of m as set out herein may be combined with any and each individual definition of R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and n as set out herein.

n:

Preferred compounds of formula (I) are those wherein n is 1.

Any and each individual definition of n as set out herein may be combined with any and each individual definition of R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and m as set out herein.

R¹:

Preferably, R¹ is (C₂₋₆)alkenyl or (C₂₋₆)alkyl.

More preferably, R¹ is ethyl or ethenyl.

Any and each individual definition of R¹ as set out herein may be combined with any and each individual definition of R², R³, R⁴, n, and m as set out herein.

In the moiety P1, the substituent R¹ and the carbonyl preferably take a syn orientation. Therefore, in the case R¹ is ethyl, the asymmetric carbon atoms in the cyclopropyl group take the R,R configuration according to the subformula:

In the case R¹ is ethenyl, the asymmetric carbon atoms in the cyclopropyl group preferably take the R,S configuration according to the subformula:

Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the compounds of the present invention have the formula (Ia):

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, m is 2, n is 1, and R¹ is ethyl or ethenyl, wherein R², R³ and R⁴ are as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter.

R²:

Preferably, R² is selected from —O—R²⁰ and —S—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ is as defined herein.

More preferably, R² is —O—R²⁰, and R²⁰ is aryl or Het, wherein the aryl and Het are optionally substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein R²⁰⁰ is as defined herein.

Even more preferably, R² is —O—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ is Het, wherein the Het is optionally substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein R²⁰⁰ is as defined herein.

Still more preferably, when R² is —O—R²⁰ and R²⁰ is Het, Het preferably is a heterocycle or heteropolycycle, each of which containing at least one nitrogen heteroatom, and the Het is unsubstituted or substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein R²⁰⁰ is as defined herein.

Yet more preferably, when R² is —O—R²⁰ and R²⁰ is Het, Het is preferably selected from

wherein the Het is unsubstituted or substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein R²⁰⁰ is as defined herein.

Preferably, R² is —O—R²⁰ and R²⁰ is Het selected from

wherein the Het is unsubstituted or substituted with R²⁰⁰,

-   -   wherein R²⁰⁰ is one to four substituents each independently         selected from H, halogen, cyano, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, aryl, Het, —OR²⁰¹,         —SR²⁰¹, —SOR²⁰¹ and —SO₂R²⁰¹; wherein (C₁₋₆)alkyl, aryl and Het         are each optionally further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰;     -   R²⁰¹ is in each case independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl         optionally further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰;     -   R²⁰⁰⁰ is in each case independently one to three substituents         each independently selected from halogen, R²⁰⁰³, aryl, Het,         —OR²⁰⁰¹, —SR²⁰⁰¹, —SOR²⁰⁰¹, —SO₂R²⁰⁰¹, cyano, and         —N(R²⁰⁰²)(R²⁰⁰¹); wherein the aryl and Het are each optionally         substituted with one, two or three substituents each         independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl and —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl;     -   R²⁰⁰¹ is in each case independently selected from aryl,         aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, —C(O)—R²⁰⁰³, —C(O)O—R²⁰⁰³, —CON(R²⁰⁰²)(R²⁰⁰⁴)         and R²⁰⁰⁴;     -   R²⁰⁰² is in each case independently selected from H and         (C₁₋₆)alkyl;     -   R²⁰⁰³ is in each case independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl,         (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl and (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, wherein the         (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl and (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl- are each         optionally substituted with one to three substituents each         independently selected from (C₁₋₃)alkyl;     -   R²⁰⁰⁴ is in each case independently selected from H and R²⁰⁰³;         and     -   Het is in each case independently a 5- 6- or 7-membered         monocyclic saturated, unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle         containing 1 to 4 heteroatoms each independently selected from         N, O and S.

Also preferred are compounds of formula (I) wherein R² is —O—R²⁰ and R²⁰ is Het of the formula

wherein

-   R^(200d) is H, aryl, Het, or —OR²⁰¹, wherein Het is a 5- 6- or     7-membered monocyclic saturated, unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle     containing 1 to 4 heteroatoms each independently selected from N, O     and S and wherein the aryl and Het are each optionally further     substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰; -   R^(200e) is H or —OR²⁰¹; and -   R^(200f) is H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, halogen, —SR²⁰¹, —SO₂R²⁰¹, or —OR²⁰¹;     wherein the (C₁₋₆)alkyl is optionally further substituted with     R²⁰⁰⁰; wherein -   R²⁰¹ is in each case independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl     optionally further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰; -   R²⁰⁰⁰ is in each case independently one to three substituents each     independently selected from halogen, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, aryl,     —OR²⁰⁰¹, cyano, and —N(R²⁰⁰²)(R²⁰⁰¹); -   R²⁰⁰¹ is in each case independently selected from H, (C₁₋₄)alkyl and     —COR²⁰⁰³; -   R²⁰⁰² is in each case independently selected from H and (C₁₋₆)alkyl;     and -   R²⁰⁰³ is in each case independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl,     (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl and (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-.

Even more preferred are compounds wherein R² is —O—R²⁰, R²⁰ is Het and Het is

wherein

-   R^(201d) is —OR²⁰, wherein R²⁰¹ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl; -   R^(200e) is H or —OR²⁰¹, wherein R²⁰¹ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl; and -   R^(200f) is (C₁₋₆)alkyl, halogen, —OR²⁰¹ or —SR²⁰¹, wherein R²⁰¹ is     (C₁₋₆)alkyl.

Most preferably, R² is selected from:

Any and each individual definition of R² as set out herein may be combined with any and each individual definition of R¹, R³, R⁴, n and m as set out herein.

R⁴:

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, R⁴ is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl, ethenyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, phenyl, naphthyl, Het, phenylmethyl, naphthylmethyl and Het-methyl;

-   -   a) each of which optionally being substituted with one to three         substituents each independently selected from fluoro and methyl;         and     -   b) each of which optionally being substituted with one or two         substituents each independently selected from hydroxy,         trifluoromethyl, methoxy, phenoxy and trifluoromethoxy; and     -   c) each of which optionally being substituted with a substituent         selected from chloro, bromo, cyano, nitro, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NHCH₃,         —CO—N(CH₃)₂, —NH₂, —NH(CH₃) and —N(CH₃)₂;         wherein Het is selected from thienyl, furyl, thiazolyl,         benzothiazolyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridinyl,         pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, indolizinyl, isoindolyl,         3H-indolyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl,         tetrahydrothienyl, tetrahydrofuryl, thiadiazolyl, isoxazolyl,         benzothienyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, triazolyl,         tetrazolyl, and

Even more preferably in this embodiment, R⁴ is phenyl, optionally substituted with halogen.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, R⁴ is selected from cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl;

-   -   a) each of which optionally being substituted with one, two or         three fluoro substituents; and     -   b) each of which optionally being substituted with one or two         substituents each independently selected from hydroxy,         trifluoromethyl, methoxy and trifluoromethoxy; and     -   c) each of which optionally being substituted with a substituent         selected from chloro, bromo, cyano, nitro, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NHCH₃,         —CO—N(CH₃)₂, —NH₂, —NH(CH₃) and —N(CH₃)₂; and     -   d) each of which being optionally substituted with (C₁₋₈)alkyl,         wherein the (C₁₋₈)alkyl is optionally substituted with one or         more substituents each independently selected from         —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxy, halogen, (C₂₋₁₀)alkenyl,         (C₂₋₁₀)alkynyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₄₋₇)cycloalkenyl, aryl,         aryloxy, and aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-O—, wherein each of the aryl and         aryloxy is optionally substituted with (C₁₋₆)alkyl.

More preferably, the group R⁴ is selected from methyl, ethyl, 1-methylethyl, propyl, ethenyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, Het and phenyl; wherein Het is selected from

the Het being optionally substituted with phenoxy; and wherein the phenyl is optionally substituted with halogen; and wherein the cyclopropyl is optionally substituted at the 1-position with methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl, each of the methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl being optionally further substituted with phenyl, (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl or (C₁₋₄)alkoxy.

Even more preferably, R⁴ is cyclopropyl, 1-methylcyclopropyl, 1-ethylcyclopropyl, 1-benzylcyclopropyl,

phenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl,

Most preferably, R⁴ is cyclopropyl or 1-methylcyclopropyl.

In another alternative preferred embodiment, R⁴ is —N(R^(N2))(R^(N1)), wherein R^(N1) and R^(N2) are each independently selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 1-methylethoxy, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl and phenylmethyl; wherein the methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 1-methylethoxy, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl and phenylmethyl are optionally substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from halogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, hydroxy, cyano, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —COOH, and —COO(C₁₋₄)alkyl; or

-   R^(N2) and R^(N1) are linked, together with the nitrogen to which     they are bonded, to form a 3- 4-, 5- or 6-membered monocyclic     saturated or unsaturated heterocycle, optionally containing from one     to three further heteroatoms each independently selected from N, S     and O, and optionally substituted with one, two or three     substituents each independently selected from halogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl,     hydroxy, cyano, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl,     —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂,     —COOH, and —COO(C₁₋₄)alkyl.

In another alternative preferred embodiment, R⁴ is —N(R^(N2))(R^(N1)), wherein R^(N1) and R^(N2) are each independently selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 1-methylethoxy, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl and phenylmethyl; wherein the methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 1-methylethoxy, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl and phenylmethyl are optionally substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from halogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, hydroxy, cyano, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —COOH, and —COO(C₁₋₄)alkyl; or

-   R^(N2) and R^(N1) are linked, together with the nitrogen to which     they are bonded, to form a 3- 4-, 5- or 6-membered monocyclic     saturated or unsaturated heterocycle, optionally containing from one     to three further heteroatoms each independently selected from N, S     and O, and optionally substituted with one, two or three     substituents each independently selected from halogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl,     hydroxy, cyano, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl,     —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂,     —COOH, and —COO(C₁₋₄)alkyl.

More preferably in this embodiment, R⁴ is selected from . . .

—N(CH₃)—OCH₃ and —N(CH₃)₂.

Most preferably, R⁴ is —N(CH₃)₂.

Therefore preferably, R⁴ is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl, ethenyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, phenyl, naphthyl, Het, phenylmethyl, naphthylmethyl and Het-methyl;

-   -   a) each of which optionally being substituted with one, two or         three substituents each independently selected from fluoro and         methyl; and     -   b) each of which optionally being substituted with one or two         substituents each independently selected from hydroxy,         trifluoromethyl, methoxy, phenoxy and trifluoromethoxy; and     -   c) each of which optionally being substituted with a substituent         selected from chloro, bromo, CF₃, cyano, nitro, —CO—NH₂,         —CO—NHCH₃, —CO—N(CH₃)₂, —NH₂, —NH(CH₃) and —N(CH₃)₂;         wherein Het is selected from thienyl, furyl, thiazolyl,         benzothiazolyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridinyl,         pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, indolizinyl, isoindolyl,         3H-indolyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl,         tetrahydrothienyl, tetrahydrofuryl, thiadiazolyl, isoxazolyl,         benzothienyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, triazolyl,         tetrazolyl, and         or R⁴ is selected from cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or         cyclohexyl;     -   a) each of which optionally being substituted with one, two or         three fluoro substituents; and     -   b) each of which optionally being substituted with one or two         substituents selected from hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, methoxy and         trifluoromethoxy; and     -   c) each of which optionally being substituted with a substituent         selected from chloro, bromo, cyano, nitro, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NHCH₃,         —CO—N(CH₃)₂, —NH₂, —NH(CH₃) and —N(CH₃)₂; and     -   d) each of which being optionally substituted with (C₁₋₈)alkyl,         wherein the (C₁₋₈)alkyl is optionally substituted with one or         more substituents each independently selected from         —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxy, halogen, (C₂₋₁₀)alkenyl,         (C₂₋₁₀)alkynyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₄₋₇)cycloalkenyl, aryl,         aryloxy, and aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-O—, wherein each of the aryl and         aryloxy is optionally substituted with (C₁₋₆)alkyl;         or R⁴ is —N(R^(N2))(R^(N1)), wherein R^(N1) and R^(N2) are each         independently selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl,         1-methylethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 1-methylethoxy,         cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl and         phenylmethyl; wherein the methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl,         methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 1-methylethoxy, cyclopropyl,         cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl and phenylmethyl are         optionally substituted with one or more substituents each         independently selected from halogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, hydroxy,         cyano, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂,         —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —COOH, and         —COO(C₁₋₄)alkyl; or         R^(N2) and R^(N1) are linked, together with the nitrogen to         which they are bonded, to form a 3- 4-, 5- or 6-membered         monocyclic saturated or unsaturated heterocycle, optionally         containing from one to three further heteroatoms each         independently selected from N, S and O, and optionally         substituted with one, two or three substituents each         independently selected from halogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, hydroxy,         cyano, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂,         —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —COOH, and         —COO(C₁₋₄)alkyl.

More preferably, R⁴ is selected from methyl, ethyl, 1-methylethyl, propyl, ethenyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, Het, phenyl,

—N(CH₃)—OCH₃ and —N(CH₃)₂; wherein Het is selected from

the Het being optionally substituted with phenoxy; and wherein the phenyl is optionally substituted with halogen; and wherein the cyclopropyl is optionally substituted at the 1-position with methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl, each of the methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl being optionally further substituted with phenyl, (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl or (C₁₋₄)alkoxy.

Even more preferably, R⁴ is cyclopropyl, 1-methylcyclopropyl, 1-ethylcyclopropyl, 1-benzylcyclopropyl,

phenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl,

—N(CH₃)—OCH₃ or —N(CH₃)₂.

Most preferably, R⁴ is cyclopropyl, 1-methylcyclopropyl or —N(CH₃)₂.

Any and each individual definition of R⁴ as set out herein may be combined with any and each individual definition of R¹, R², R³, n and m as set out herein.

R³:

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, R³ is —C(O)OR³¹, wherein R³¹ is as defined herein;

with the proviso that

-   when n is 1; m is 2; R¹ is ethyl or ethenyl; and -   R² is —O—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ is Het, wherein the Het is selected from:     and wherein the Het is optionally substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein     R²⁰⁰ is one or two substituents each independently selected from     methyl, methoxy, chloro, fluoro, hydroxy, phenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl,     4-(dimethylamino)phenyl, 4-cyanophenyl, and a group selected from:     and -   R⁴ is cyclopropyl optionally substituted with propyl,     cyclopropylmethyl or phenylmethyl; -   then R³¹ is not 1,1-dimethylethyl. -   Preferably, when R³ is —C(O)OR³¹, R³¹ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl optionally     substituted with one to three halogen substituents;     with the proviso that -   when n is 1; m is 2; R¹ is ethyl or ethenyl; and -   R² is —O—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ is Het, wherein the Het is selected from:     and wherein the Het is optionally substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein     R²⁰⁰ is one or two substituents each independently selected from     methyl, methoxy, chloro, fluoro, hydroxy, phenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl,     4-(dimethylamino)phenyl, 4-cyanophenyl, and a group selected from:     and -   R⁴ is cyclopropyl optionally substituted with propyl,     cyclopropylmethyl or phenylmethyl; -   then R³¹ is not 1,1-dimethylethyl.

More preferably, R³¹ is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl and 1,1-dimethylethyl, each of which being optionally substituted with one to three substituents each independently selected from fluoro, chloro and bromo;

with the proviso that

-   when n is 1; m is 2; R¹ is ethyl or ethenyl; and -   R² is —O—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ is Het, wherein the Het is selected from:     and wherein the Het is optionally substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein     R²⁰⁰ is one or two substituents each independently selected from     methyl, methoxy, chloro, fluoro, hydroxy, phenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl,     4-(dimethylamino)phenyl, 4-cyanophenyl, and a group selected from:     and -   R⁴ is cyclopropyl optionally substituted with propyl,     cyclopropylmethyl or phenylmethyl; -   then R³¹ is not 1,1-dimethylethyl.

Most preferably, R³¹ is selected from methyl, ethyl, 1-methylethyl and 2,2,2-trichloro-1,1-dimethylethyl.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, R³ is —C(O)NR³²R³³, wherein R³² and R³³ are as defined herein.

More preferably in this embodiment, R³² and R³³ are each independently selected from H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, and Het, wherein Het is a 5- or 6-membered saturated, unsaturated or aromatic monocyclic heterocycle containing one to three heteroatoms each independently selected from N, O and S.

Even more preferably, R³² is H and R³³ is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl and Het, wherein Het is selected from furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl and pyridyl.

Most preferably, R³² is H and R³³ is selected from ethyl, 1-methylethyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl and 2-thienyl.

In another alternative preferred embodiment, R³ is SO_(v)R³⁴, wherein v and R³⁴are as defined herein.

Preferably in this embodiment, v is 2 and R³⁴ is as defined herein.

More preferably, v is 2 and R³⁴ is selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl and NR³²R³³, where R³² and R³³ are each independently selected from H and (C₁₋₆)alkyl.

Even more preferably, v is 2 and R³⁴is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl and NR³²R³³, where R³² and R³³ are each independently selected from H, methyl and ethyl.

Most preferably, v is 2 and R³⁴is ethyl, propyl or N(CH₃)₂.

In yet another alternative preferred embodiment, R³ is —C(O)—R³⁵, wherein R³⁵ is as defined herein.

Preferably in this embodiment, R³⁵ is selected from:

-   -   (a) (C₁₋₈)alkyl optionally substituted with one to three         substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxyl,         —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —S—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —SO—(C₁₋₆)alkyl,         —SO₂—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —O-phenyl, —S-phenyl, —SO-phenyl and         —SO₂-phenyl, wherein the phenyl portion of the —O-phenyl,         —S-phenyl, —SO-phenyl and —SO₂-phenyl are each optionally         substituted with one to five halo substituents;     -   (b) (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₃₋ ₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, each of         which being optionally substituted with one to three         substituents each independently selected from halo, (C₁₋₆)alkyl,         aryl and hydroxyl; and     -   (c) phenyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, phenyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl- or         Het-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, each of which being optionally substituted         with one to three substituents each independently selected from         (C₁₋₆)alkyl and hydroxyl; wherein Het is a 5- or 6-membered         monocyclic heterocycle which is saturated, unsaturated or         aromatic, containing one to three heteroatoms each independently         selected from N, O and S.

More preferably, R³⁵ is selected from:

-   -   (a) methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl,         2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl, pentyl, 1-methylbutyl,         2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 1-ethylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl,         1,2-dimethylpropyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, hexyl,         2,2-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl or         2-ethyl-2-methylbutyl, each of which being optionally         substituted with one to three substituents each independently         selected from fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy,         methylthio, ethylthio, —SOCH₃, —SOCH₂CH₃, —SO₂CH₃, —SO₂CH₂CH₃,         —O-phenyl, —S-phenyl, —SO-phenyl and —SO₂-phenyl, wherein the         phenyl portion of the —O-phenyl, —S-phenyl, —SO-phenyl and         —SO₂-phenyl are each optionally substituted with one to five         halo substituents;     -   (b) cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl,         cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl or         cyclohexylmethyl, each of which being optionally substituted         with one to three substituents each independently selected from         fluoro, chloro, bromo, methyl, ethyl, phenyl and hydroxyl; and     -   (c) phenyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, phenylmethyl, phenylethyl,         Het-methyl or Het-ethyl, each of which being optionally         substituted with one to three substituents each independently         selected from methyl, ethyl and hydroxyl; wherein Het is         selected from

Yet more preferably, R³⁵ is selected from (C₁₋₈)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, phenyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl- and Het-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, each of which being optionally substituted with hydroxyl.

Still more preferably, R³⁵ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl optionally substituted with hydroxyl.

Even more preferably, R³⁵ is

Most preferably, R³⁵ is

Preferably, R³ is selected from:

-   -   (i) —C(O)OR³¹, wherein R³¹ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl optionally substituted         with one to three halogen substituents;         with the proviso that         -   when n is 1; m is 2; R¹ is ethyl or ethenyl; and         -   R² is —O—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ is Het, wherein the Het is             selected from:             and wherein the Het is optionally substituted with R²⁰⁰,             wherein R²⁰⁰ is one or two substituents each independently             selected from methyl, methoxy, chloro, fluoro, hydroxy,             phenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-(dimethylamino)phenyl,             4-cyanophenyl, and a group selected from:         -   R⁴ is cyclopropyl optionally substituted with propyl,             cyclopropylmethyl or phenylmethyl;         -   then R³¹ is not 1,1-dimethylethyl;     -   (ii) —C(O)NR³²R³³, wherein R³² and R³³ are each independently         selected from H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, and Het, wherein Het is a 5- or         6-membered saturated, unsaturated or aromatic monocyclic         heterocycle containing one to three heteroatoms each         independently selected from N, O and S;     -   (iii) SO_(v)R³⁴, wherein v is 2 and R³⁴ is selected from         (C₁₋₆)alkyl and NR³²R³³, where R³² and R³³ are each         independently selected from H and (C₁₋₆)alkyl; and     -   (iv) —C(O)—R³⁵ wherein R³⁵ is selected from:         -   (a) (C₁₋₈)alkyl optionally substituted with one to three             substituents each independently selected from halo,             hydroxyl, —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —S—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —SO—(C₁₋₆)alkyl,             —SO₂—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —O-phenyl, —S-phenyl, —SO-phenyl and             —SO₂-phenyl, wherein the phenyl portion of the —O-phenyl,             —S-phenyl, —SO-phenyl and —SO₂-phenyl are each optionally             substituted with one to five halo substituents;         -   (b) (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, each             of which being optionally substituted with one to three             substituents each independently selected from halo,             (C₁₋₆)alkyl, aryl and hydroxyl; and         -   (c) phenyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, phenyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl- or             Het-(C₁₋₋₆)alkyl-, each of which being optionally             substituted with one to three substituents each             independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl and hydroxyl; and             wherein Het is a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic heterocycle             which is saturated, unsaturated or aromatic, containing one             to three heteroatoms each independently selected from N, O             and S.

More preferably, R³ is selected from:

-   -   (i) —C(O)OR³¹, wherein R³¹ is selected from methyl, ethyl,         propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl and         1,1-dimethylethyl, each of which being optionally substituted         with one to three substituents each independently selected from         fluoro, chloro and bromo;         -   with the proviso that         -   when n is 1; m is 2; R¹ is ethyl or ethenyl; and         -   R² is —O—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ is Het, wherein the Het is             selected from:             and wherein the Het is optionally substituted with R²⁰⁰,             wherein R²⁰⁰ is one or two substituents each independently             selected from methyl, methoxy, chloro, fluoro, hydroxy,             phenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-(dimethylamino)phenyl,             4-cyanophenyl, and a group selected from:             and         -   R⁴ is cyclopropyl optionally substituted with propyl,             cyclopropylmethyl or phenylmethyl;         -   then R³¹ is not 1,1-dimethylethyl;     -   (ii) —C(O)NR³²R³³, wherein R³² is H and R³³ is selected from         methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl,         2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl and Het, wherein Het is         selected from furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl and pyridyl;     -   (iii) SO_(v)R³⁴, wherein v is 2 and R³⁴ is methyl, ethyl,         propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl,         1,1-dimethylethyl and NR³²R³³, where R³² and R³³ are each         independently selected from H, methyl and ethyl; and     -   (iv) —C(O)—R³⁵ wherein R³⁵ is selected from:         -   (a) methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl,             1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl, pentyl,             1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 1-ethylpropyl,             1,1-dimethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl,             hexyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl or             2-ethyl-2-methylbutyl, each of which being optionally             substituted with one to three substituents each             independently selected from fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxyl,             methoxy, ethoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, —SOCH₃, —SOCH₂CH₃,             —SO₂CH₃, —SO₂CH₂CH₃, —O-phenyl, —S-phenyl, —SO-phenyl and             —SO₂-phenyl, wherein the phenyl portion of the —O-phenyl,             —S-phenyl, —SO-phenyl and —SO₂-phenyl are each optionally             substituted with one to five halo substituents;         -   (b) cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl,             cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl or             cyclohexylmethyl, each of which being optionally substituted             with one to three substituents each independently selected             from fluoro, chloro, bromo, methyl, ethyl, phenyl and             hydroxyl; and         -   (c) phenyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, phenylmethyl, phenylethyl,             Het-methyl or Het-ethyl, each of which being optionally             substituted with one to three substituents each             independently selected from methyl, ethyl and hydroxyl;             wherein Het is selected from

Even more preferably, R³ is selected from:

Any and each individual definition of R³ as set out herein may be combined with any and each individual definition of R¹, R², R⁴, n and m as set out herein.

Therefore one embodiment of the invention provides a compound of formula (I):

wherein

-   n is 1 or 2; -   m is 1 or 2; -   R¹ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, or (C₂₋₆)alkynyl; wherein the     (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, and (C₂₋₆)alkynyl are optionally     substituted at one or more substitutable positions with from one to     three halogen atoms; -   R² is selected from —NH—R²⁰, —O—R²⁰, —S—R²⁰, —SO—R²⁰, —SO₂R²⁰,     —OCH₂R²⁰, and —CH₂O—R²⁰, wherein     -   R²⁰ is aryl or Het, wherein the aryl and Het are optionally         substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein     -   R²⁰⁰ is one to four substituents each independently selected         from H, halogen, cyano, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl,         aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, aryl, Het, oxo, thioxo, —OR²⁰¹, —SR²⁰¹,         —SOR²⁰¹, —SO₂R²⁰¹, —N(R²⁰²)R²⁰¹, and —CON(R²⁰²)R²⁰¹; wherein         each of the alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl and Het is optionally         further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰;     -   R²⁰¹ in each case is independently selected from H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl,         aryl, (C₂₋₄)alkenyl, (C₂₋₄)alkynyl, —CO—(C₁₋₆)alkyl and         —CO—O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, wherein each of the alkyl and aryl is         optionally further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰;     -   R²⁰² is H or (C₁₋₆)alkyl;     -   R²⁰⁰⁰ is one to three substituents each independently selected         from halogen, R²⁰⁰³, aryl, Het, —OR²⁰⁰¹, —SR²⁰⁰¹, —SOR²⁰⁰¹,         —SO₂R²⁰⁰¹, cyano and —N(R²⁰⁰²)(R²⁰⁰¹), wherein the aryl and Het         are optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents         each independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl and —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl;     -   R²⁰⁰¹ in each case is independently selected from aryl,         aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, —C(O)—R²⁰⁰³, —C(O)O—R²⁰⁰³, —CON(R²⁰⁰²)(R²⁰⁰⁴)         and R²⁰⁰⁴;     -   R²⁰⁰² in each case is independently selected from H and         (C₁₋₆)alkyl;     -   R²⁰⁰³ in each case is independently selected from (C₁₋₄)alkyl,         (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, wherein the         (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl and (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl- are         optionally substituted with one to three substituents each         independently selected from (C₁₋₃)alkyl; and     -   R²⁰⁰⁴ in each case is independently selected from H or R²⁰⁰³; -   R³ is selected from:     -   (i) —C(O)OR³¹ wherein R³¹ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl or aryl, wherein the         (C₁₋₆)alkyl is substituted with one to three halogen         substituents;     -   (ii) —C(O)NR³²R³³, wherein R³² and R³³ are each independently         selected from H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, and Het;     -   (iii) —SO_(v)R³⁴ wherein v is 1 or 2 and R³⁴ is selected from:         (C₁₋₆)alkyl, aryl, Het, and NR³²R³³ wherein R³² and R³³ are as         defined above; and     -   (iv) —C(O)—R³⁵, wherein R³⁵ is selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl,         (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, aryl and         aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, each of which are optionally substituted at         one to three substitutable positions with one or more         substituents each independently selected from halo, (C₁₋₆)alkyl,         (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, Het, —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxyl, and aryl; -   R⁴ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl,     (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, aryl, Het, aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, or     Het-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-;     -   a) the (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, aryl, Het,         (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, and         Het-(C₁₋₄)alkyl- optionally being substituted with nitro or         substituted with one to three substituents each independently         selected from halogen, hydroxy, cyano, (C₁₋₆)alkyl,         O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, O-aryl, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl,         —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl and —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂,         wherein the (C₁₋₆)alkyl and O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl are optionally         substituted with one to three halogen substituents; and     -   b) the (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl being optionally substituted with one or         more substituents each independently selected from nitro,         halogen, hydroxy, cyano, —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₂₋₄)alkenyl, —OCF₃,         —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, tri(C₁₋₆)alkylsilyl,         R⁴¹, —C(═O)—R⁴¹, —C(═O)OR⁴¹, —C(═O)N(R⁴²)R⁴¹, —SO₂R⁴¹, and         —OC(═O)—R⁴¹;         wherein R⁴¹ in each case is independently selected from:         -   i) H, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₄₋₇)cycloalkenyl, Het, or             aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-O—;         -   ii) aryl or aryloxy, each of which being optionally             substituted with (C₁₋₆)alkyl; and         -   iii) (C₁₋₈)alkyl optionally substituted with one or more             substituents each independently selected from             —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxy, halogen, (C₂₋₁₀)alkenyl,             (C₂₋₁₀)alkynyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₄₋₇)cycloalkenyl, aryl,             Het, aryloxy, and aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-O—, wherein each of the             aryl and aryloxy is optionally substituted with (C₁₋₆)alkyl;             and         -   R⁴² is selected from H and (C₁₋₆)alkyl; or     -   R⁴ is —N(R^(N2))(R^(N1)), wherein R^(N1) and R^(N2) are each         independently selected from H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl,         (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, aryl and aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-;         wherein the (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl,         (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, aryl and aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl- are         optionally substituted with one or more substituents each         independently selected from halogen, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxy,         cyano, O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂,         —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —COOH, and         —COO(C₁₋₆)alkyl; or     -   R^(N2) and R^(N1) are linked, together with the nitrogen to         which they are bonded, to form a 3- to 7-membered monocyclic         saturated or unsaturated heterocycle optionally fused to at         least one other cycle to form a heteropolycycle, the heterocycle         and heteropolycycle optionally containing from one to three         further heteroatoms each independently selected from N, S and O,         and being optionally substituted with one or more substituents         each independently selected from halogen, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxy,         cyano, O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂,         —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —COOH, and         —COO(C₁₋₆)alkyl;         wherein Het as used herein is defined as a 3- to 7-membered         heterocycle having 1 to 4 heteroatoms each independently         selected from O, N and S, which may be saturated, unsaturated or         aromatic, and which is optionally fused to at least one other         cycle to form a 4- to 14-membered heteropolycycle having         wherever possible 1 to 5 heteroatoms, each independently         selected from O, N and S, the heteropolycycle being saturated,         unsaturated or aromatic;         with the proviso that -   when n is 1; m is 2; R¹ is ethyl or ethenyl; and -   R² is —O—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ is Het, wherein the Het is selected from:     and wherein the Het is optionally substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein     R²⁰⁰ is one or two substituents each independently selected from     methyl, methoxy, chloro, fluoro, hydroxy, phenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl,     4-(dimethylamino)phenyl, 4-cyanophenyl, and a group selected from:     and -   R⁴ is cyclopropyl optionally substituted with propyl,     cyclopropylmethyl or phenylmethyl; and -   R³ is —COOR³¹;     then R³¹ is not 1,1-dimethylethyl;     or a racemate, diastereoisomer, or optical isomer thereof, including     a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides compounds of formula (I) wherein:

-   m is 2; -   n is 1; -   R¹ is (C₂₋₆)alkenyl or (C₂₋₆)alkyl; -   R² is —O—R²⁰ and R²⁰ is Het selected from     wherein the Het is unsubstituted or substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein     -   R²⁰⁰ is one to four substituents each independently selected         from H, halogen, cyano, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, aryl, Het, —OR²⁰¹, —SR²⁰¹,         —SOR²⁰¹ and —SO₂R²⁰¹; wherein (C₁₋₆)alkyl, aryl and Het are each         optionally further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰;     -   R²⁰¹ is in each case independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl         optionally further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰;     -   R²⁰⁰⁰ is in each case independently one to three substituents         each independently selected from halogen, R²⁰⁰³, aryl, Het,         —OR²⁰⁰¹, —SR²⁰⁰¹, —SOR²⁰⁰¹, —SO₂R²⁰⁰¹, cyano, and         —N(R²⁰⁰²)(R²⁰⁰¹); wherein the aryl and Het are each optionally         substituted with one, two or three substituents each         independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl and —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl;     -   R²⁰⁰¹ is in each case independently selected from aryl,         aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, —C(O)—R²⁰⁰³, —C(O)O—R²⁰⁰³, —CON(R²⁰⁰²)(R²⁰⁰⁴)         and R²⁰⁰⁴;     -   R²⁰⁰² is in each case independently selected from H and         (C₁₋₆)alkyl;     -   R²⁰⁰³ is in each case independently selected from (C₁₋₈)alkyl,         (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl and (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, wherein the         (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl and (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl- are each         optionally substituted with one to three substituents each         independently selected from (C₁₋₃)alkyl;     -   R²⁰⁰⁴ is in each case independently selected from H and R²⁰⁰³;         and     -   Het is in each case independently a 5- 6- or 7-membered         monocyclic saturated, unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle         containing 1 to 4 heteroatoms each independently selected from         N, O and S. -   R³ is selected from:     -   (i) —C(O)OR³¹, wherein R³¹ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl optionally substituted         with one to three halogen substituents;     -   (ii) —C(O)NR³²R³³, wherein R³² and R³³ are each independently         selected from H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, and Het, wherein Het is a 5- or         6-membered saturated, unsaturated or aromatic monocyclic         heterocycle containing one to three heteroatoms each         independently selected from N, O and S;     -   (iii) SO_(v)R³⁴, wherein v is 2 and R³⁴ is selected from         (C₁₋₆)alkyl and NR³²R³³, where R³² and R³³ are each         independently selected from H and (C₁₋₆)alkyl; and     -   (iv) —C(O)—R³⁵ wherein R³⁵ is selected from:         -   (a) (C₁₋₈)alkyl optionally substituted with one to three             substituents each independently selected from halo,             hydroxyl, —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —S—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —SO—(C₁₋₆)alkyl,             —SO₂—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —O-phenyl, —S-phenyl, —SO-phenyl and             —SO₂-phenyl, wherein the phenyl portion of the —O-phenyl,             —S-phenyl, —SO-phenyl and —SO₂-phenyl are each optionally             substituted with one to five halo substituents;         -   (b) (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, each             of which being optionally substituted with one to three             substituents each independently selected from halo,             (C₁₋₆)alkyl, aryl and hydroxyl; and         -   (c) phenyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, phenyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl- or             Het-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, each of which being optionally substituted             with one to three substituents each independently selected             from (C₁₋₆)alkyl and hydroxyl; and wherein Het is a 5- or             6-membered monocyclic heterocycle which is saturated,             unsaturated or aromatic, containing one to three heteroatoms             each independently selected from N, O and S; -   R⁴ is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl,     1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl, ethenyl,     1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl,     cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, phenyl, naphthyl, Het,     phenylmethyl, naphthylmethyl and Het-methyl;     -   a) each of which optionally being substituted with one to three         substituents each independently selected from fluoro and methyl;         and     -   b) each of which optionally being substituted with one or two         substituents each independently selected from hydroxy,         trifluoromethyl, methoxy, phenoxy and trifluoromethoxy; and     -   c) each of which optionally being substituted with a substituent         selected from chloro, bromo, CF₃, cyano, nitro, —CO—NH₂,         —CO—NHCH₃, —CO—N(CH₃)₂, —NH₂, —NH(CH₃) and —N(CH₃)₂;         wherein Het is selected from thienyl, furyl, thiazolyl,         benzothiazolyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridinyl,         pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, indolizinyl, isoindolyl,         3H-indolyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl,         tetrahydrothienyl, tetrahydrofuryl, thiadiazolyl, isoxazolyl,         benzothienyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, triazolyl,         tetrazolyl, and -   or R⁴ is selected from cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or     cyclohexyl;     -   a) each of which optionally being substituted with one to three         fluoro substituents; and     -   b) each of which optionally being substituted with one or two         substituents each independently selected from hydroxy,         trifluoromethyl, methoxy and trifluoromethoxy; and     -   c) each of which optionally being substituted with a substituent         selected from chloro, bromo, cyano, nitro, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NHCH₃,         —CO—N(CH₃)₂, —NH₂, —NH(CH₃) and —N(CH₃)₂; and     -   d) each of which being optionally substituted with (C₁₋₈)alkyl,         wherein the (C₁₋₈)alkyl is optionally substituted with one or         more substituents each independently selected from         —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxy, halogen, (C₂₋₁₀)alkenyl,         (C₂₋₁₀)alkynyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₄₋₇)cycloalkenyl, aryl,         aryloxy, and aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-O—, wherein each of the aryl and         aryloxy is optionally substituted with (C₁₋₆)alkyl; -   or R⁴ is —N(R^(N2))(R^(N1)), wherein R^(N1) and R^(N2) are each     independently selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl,     methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 1-methylethoxy, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,     cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl and phenylmethyl; wherein the     methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy,     1-methylethoxy, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl,     phenyl and phenylmethyl are optionally substituted with one or more     substituents each independently selected from halogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl,     hydroxy, cyano, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl,     —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂,     —COOH, and —COO(C₁₋₄)alkyl; or     -   R^(N2) and R^(N1) are linked, together with the nitrogen to         which they are bonded, to form a 3- 4-, 5- or 6-membered         monocyclic saturated or unsaturated heterocycle, optionally         containing from one to three further heteroatoms each         independently selected from N, S and O, and optionally         substituted with one, two or three substituents each         independently selected from halogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, hydroxy,         cyano, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂,         —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —COOH, and         —COO(C₁₋₄)alkyl;         with the proviso that         when R¹ is ethyl or ethenyl; and -   R² is —O—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ is Het, wherein the Het is selected from:     and wherein the Het is optionally substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein     R²⁰⁰ is one or two substituents each independently selected from     methyl, methoxy, chloro, fluoro, hydroxy, phenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl,     4-(dimethylamino)phenyl, 4-cyanophenyl, and a group selected from:     and -   R⁴ is cyclopropyl optionally substituted with propyl,     cyclopropylmethyl or phenylmethyl; and -   R³ is —COOR³¹; -   then R³¹ is not 1,1-dimethylethyl.

A more preferred embodiment of the present invention provides compounds of formula (I) wherein:

-   n is 1; -   m is 2; -   R¹ is ethyl or ethenyl; -   R² is —O—R²⁰ wherein R²⁰ is Het of the formula     wherein     -   R^(200d) is H, aryl, Het, or —OR²⁰ , wherein Het is a 5- 6- or         7-membered monocyclic saturated, unsaturated or aromatic         heterocycle containing 1 to 4 heteroatoms each independently         selected from N, O and S and wherein the aryl and Het are each         optionally further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰;     -   R^(200e) is H or —OR²⁰¹; and     -   R^(200f) is H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, halogen, —SR²⁰¹, —SO₂R²⁰¹, or         —OR²⁰¹; wherein the (C₁₋₆)alkyl is optionally further         substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰; wherein     -   R²⁰¹ is in each case independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl         optionally further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰;     -   R²⁰⁰⁰ is in each case independently one to three substituents         each independently selected from halogen, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl,         aryl, —OR²⁰⁰¹, cyano, and —N(R²⁰⁰²)(R²⁰⁰¹);     -   R²⁰⁰¹ is in each case independently selected from H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl         and —COR²⁰⁰³;     -   R²⁰⁰² is in each case independently selected from H and         (C₁₋₆)alkyl; and     -   R²⁰⁰³ is in each case independently selected from (C₁₋₈)alkyl,         (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl and (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-; -   R³ is selected from:     -   (i) —C(O)OR³¹, wherein R³¹ is selected from methyl, ethyl,         propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl and         1,1-dimethylethyl, each of which being optionally substituted         with one to three substituents each independently selected from         fluoro, chloro and bromo;     -   (ii) —C(O)NR³²R³³, wherein R³² is H and R³³ is selected from         methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl,         2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl and Het, wherein Het is         selected from furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl and pyridyl;     -   (iii) SO_(v)R³⁴, wherein v is 2 and R³⁴is methyl, ethyl, propyl,         1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl,         1,1-dimethylethyl and NR³²R³³, where R³² and R³³ are each         independently selected from H, methyl and ethyl; and     -   (iv) —C(O)—R³⁵ wherein R³⁵ is selected from:         -   (a) methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl,             1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl, pentyl,             1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 1-ethylpropyl,             1,1-dimethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl,             hexyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl or             2-ethyl-2-methylbutyl, each of which being optionally             substituted with one to three substituents each             independently selected from fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxyl,             methoxy, ethoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, —SOCH₃, —SOCH₂CH₃,             —SO₂CH₃, —SO₂CH₂CH₃, —O-phenyl, —S-phenyl, —SO-phenyl and             —SO₂-phenyl, wherein the phenyl portion of the —O-phenyl,             —S-phenyl, —SO-phenyl and —SO₂-phenyl are each optionally             substituted with one to five halo substituents;         -   (b) cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl,             cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl or             cyclohexylmethyl, each of which being optionally substituted             with one to three substituents each independently selected             from fluoro, chloro, bromo, methyl, ethyl, phenyl and             hydroxyl; and         -   (c) phenyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, phenylmethyl, phenylethyl,             Het-methyl or Het-ethyl , each of which being optionally             substituted with one to three substituents each             independently selected from methyl, ethyl and hydroxyl;             wherein Het is selected from -   R⁴ is selected from methyl, ethyl, 1-methylethyl, propyl, ethenyl,     cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, Het, phenyl,     —N(CH₃)—OCH₃ and —N(CH₃)₂;     wherein Het is selected from     the Het being optionally substituted with phenoxy; and wherein the     phenyl is optionally substituted with halogen; and wherein the     cyclopropyl is optionally substituted at the 1-position with methyl,     ethyl, propyl or butyl, each of the methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl     being optionally further substituted with phenyl, (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl,     (C₂₋₆)alkenyl or (C₁₋₄)alkoxy;     with the proviso that -   when R¹ is ethyl or ethenyl; and -   R² is —O—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ is Het, wherein the Het is selected from:     and wherein the Het is optionally substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein     R²⁰⁰ is one or two substituents each independently selected from     methyl, methoxy, chloro, fluoro, hydroxy, phenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl,     4-(dimethylamino)phenyl, 4-cyanophenyl, and a group selected from:     and -   R⁴ is cyclopropyl optionally substituted with propyl,     cyclopropylmethyl or phenylmethyl; and -   R³ is —COOR³¹; -   then R³¹ is not 1,1-dimethylethyl.

Examples of preferred compounds according to this invention are each single compound contained in Tables 1 and 2.

As discussed above, included within the scope of this invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-hepatitis C virally effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier medium or auxiliary agent.

According to a further aspect of this embodiment the pharmaceutical composition according to this invention further comprises a therapeutically effective amount of at least one other antiviral agent.

According to an alternate embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition of this invention may additionally comprise at least one other anti-HCV agent. Examples of anti-HCV agents include, but are not limited to, α- (alpha), β- (beta), δ- (delta), γ-(gamma), ω- (omega) and tau-interferon, pegylated α-interferon, ribavirin and amantadine.

According to another alternate embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition of this invention may additionally comprise at least one other inhibitor of HCV NS3 protease.

According to another alternate embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition of this invention may additionally comprise at least one inhibitor of HCV polymerase.

According to yet another alternate embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition of this invention may additionally comprise at least one inhibitor of other targets in the HCV life cycle, including but not limited to, an agent that inhibits a target selected from a helicase, an NS2/3 protease and an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and an agent that interferes with the function of an NS5A protein.

The pharmaceutical composition of this invention may be administered orally, parenterally or via an implanted reservoir. Oral administration or administration by injection is preferred. The pharmaceutical composition of this invention may contain any conventional non-toxic pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers, adjuvants or vehicles. In some cases, the pH of the formulation may be adjusted with pharmaceutically acceptable acids, bases or buffers to enhance the stability of the formulated compound or its delivery form. The term parenteral as used herein includes subcutaneous, intracutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intra-articular, intrasynovial, intrasternal, intrathecal, and intralesional injection or infusion techniques.

The pharmaceutical composition may be in the form of a sterile injectable preparation, for example, as a sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspension. This suspension may be formulated according to techniques known in the art using suitable dispersing or wetting agents (such as, for example Tween 80) and suspending agents.

The pharmaceutical composition of this invention may be orally administered in any orally acceptable dosage form including, but not limited to, capsules, tablets, and aqueous suspensions and solutions. In the case of tablets for oral use, carriers which are commonly used include lactose and corn starch. Lubricating agents, such as magnesium stearate, are also typically added. For oral administration in a capsule form, useful diluents include lactose and dried corn starch. When aqueous suspensions are administered orally, the active ingredient is combined with emulsifying and suspending agents. If desired, certain sweetening and/or flavoring and/or coloring agents may be added.

Other suitable vehicles or carriers for the above noted formulations and compositions can be found in standard pharmaceutical texts, e.g. in “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences”, The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 19^(th) Ed. Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., (1995).

Dosage levels of between about 0.001 and about 100 mg/kg body weight per day, preferably between about 0.01 and about 50 mg/kg body weight per day of the protease inhibitor compound described herein are useful in a monotherapy for the prevention and treatment of HCV mediated disease. Typically, the pharmaceutical composition of this invention will be administered from about 1 to about 5 times per day or alternatively, as a continuous infusion. Such administration can be used as a chronic or acute therapy. The amount of active ingredient that may be combined with the carrier materials to produce a single dosage form will vary depending upon the host treated and the particular mode of administration. A typical preparation will contain from about 5% to about 95% active compound (w/w). Preferably, such preparations contain from about 20% to about 80% active compound.

As the skilled artisan will appreciate, lower or higher doses than those recited above may be required. Specific dosage and treatment regimens for any particular patient will depend upon a variety of factors, including the activity of the specific compound employed, the age, body weight, general health status, sex, diet, time of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination, the severity and course of the infection, the patient's disposition to the infection and the judgment of the treating physician. Generally, treatment is initiated with small dosages substantially less than the optimum dose of the peptide. Thereafter, the dosage is increased by small increments until the optimum effect under the circumstances is reached. In general, the compound is most desirably administered at a concentration level that will generally afford antivirally effective results without causing any harmful or deleterious side effects.

When the composition of this invention comprises a combination of a compound of formula I, including a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and one or more additional therapeutic or prophylactic agent, both the compound and the additional agent should be present at dosage levels of between about 10 to 100%, and more preferably between about 10 and 80% of the dosage normally administered in a monotherapy regimen.

When these compounds or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are formulated together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, the resulting composition may be administered in vivo to mammals, such as man, to inhibit HCV NS3 protease or to treat or prevent HCV virus infection. Such treatment may also be achieved using a compound of this invention in combination with another antiviral agent. Preferred other antiviral agents are described within the Definitions section and the section of preferred pharmaceutical compositions according to this invention and include, but are not limited to: α-, β-, δ-, ω-, γ-and tau-interferon, ribavirin, amantadine; other inhibitors of HCV NS3 protease; inhibitors of HCV polymerase; inhibitors of other targets in the HCV life cycle, which include but are not limited to, agents that inhibit a target selected from a helicase, an NS2/3 protease and an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and agents that interfere with the function of an NS5A protein; and combinations thereof. The additional agents may be combined with compounds of this invention to create a single dosage form. Alternatively these additional agents may be separately administered to a mammal as part of a multiple dosage form.

Accordingly, another embodiment of this invention provides a method of inhibiting HCV NS3 protease activity in a mammal by administering a compound of the formula (I), including a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, this method is useful in decreasing the NS3 protease activity of the hepatitis C virus infecting a mammal.

As discussed above, combination therapy is contemplated wherein a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is co-administered with at least one additional antiviral agent. Preferred antiviral agents are described hereinbefore and examples of such agents are provided in the Definitions section. These additional agents may be combined with the compounds of this invention to create a single pharmaceutical dosage form. Alternatively these additional agents may be separately administered to the patient as part of a multiple dosage form, for example, using a kit. Such additional agents may be administered to the patient prior to, concurrently with, or following the administration of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

A compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, set forth herein may also be used as a laboratory reagent. Furthermore a compound of this invention, including a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, may also be used to treat or prevent viral contamination of materials and therefore reduce the risk of viral infection of laboratory or medical personnel or patients who come in contact with such materials (e.g. blood, tissue, surgical instruments and garments, laboratory instruments and garments, and blood collection apparatuses and materials).

A compound of formula (I), including a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, set forth herein may also be used as a research reagent. A compound of formula (I), including a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, may also be used as positive control to validate surrogate cell-based assays or in vitro or in vivo viral replication assays.

In a further aspect of this invention is provided a process for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) comprising the steps of:

-   a) reacting a compound of formula (II):     wherein R⁴ and m are as defined herein, with a strong base so as to     form the corresponding amide anion of formula (IIa) -   b) reacting an azalactone of formula (III):     wherein R¹, R², R³, and n are as defined herein, with the amide     anion of formula (IIa). The strong base referred to in step a) is     well known to one skilled in the art and includes, but is not     limited to, an alkyllithium reagent (including, but not limited to,     butyllithium, tert-butyllithium and the like) and the alkali metal     salt of a secondary amine or silyl analog thereof (including, but     not limited to, lithium hexamethyldisilazide, sodium     hexamethyldisilazide, potassium hexamethyldisilazide, lithium     diisopropylamide, lithium N-isopropylcyclohexylamide, lithium     tetramethylpiperidide, potassium diisopropylamide, and the like).

In yet a further aspect of the present invention is provided an azalactone intermediate compound of formula (III):

wherein R¹, R², R³ and n are as defined herein.

A further aspect of this invention is the use of the intermediate azalactone of formula (III) as described hereinbefore in the preparation of an HCV NS3 protease inhibitor peptide analog.

Methodology

The compounds of the present invention are synthesized according to a general process wherein the P2, P1, and P1′ fragments can be linked by well known peptide coupling techniques. The P2, P1, and P1′ fragments may be linked together in any order as long as the final compound corresponds to compounds of formula (I), wherein R¹, R², R³, m, n and Z are as defined herein. This process is illustrated in Scheme I (wherein CPG is a carboxyl protecting group, APG is an amino protecting group and LG is a group that may be displaced during the coupling reaction attaching R³ to the P2 unit).

The P2 fragment is generally formed by attaching the R² moiety to the proline fragment using methodology as described in the examples below. This attachment may take place at any stage in this synthetic scheme, i.e., when P2 is an isolated fragment or when it has already been coupled to P1 or P1-P1′. In cases where the R² moiety is to be added at an intermediate stage after coupling to the P1 and/or P1-P1′ fragments, the P2 fragment shown above is replaced with a suitable precursor fragment for the purposes of this scheme.

Generally, peptides are elongated by deprotecting the α-amino group of the N-terminal residue and coupling the unprotected carboxyl group of the next suitably N-protected amino acid through a peptide linkage using well known methods. This deprotection and coupling procedure is repeated until the desired sequence is obtained. This coupling can be performed with the constituent amino acid fragments in stepwise fashion or by solid phase peptide synthesis according to the method originally described in Merrifield, J. Am. Chem. Soc., (1963), 85, 2149-2154.

Coupling between two amino acids, an amino acid and a peptide, or two peptide fragments can be carried out using standard coupling procedures such as the azide method, mixed carbonic-carboxylic acid anhydride (isobutyl chloroformate) method, carbodiimide (dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, diisopropylcarbodiimide, or water-soluble carbodiimide) method, active ester (p-nitrophenyl ester, N-hydroxysuccinic imido ester) method, Woodward reagent K-method, carbonyldiimidazole method, phosphorus reagents or oxidation-reduction methods. Some of these methods (especially the carbodiimide method) can be enhanced by adding 1-hydroxybenzotriazole. These coupling reactions can be performed in either solution (liquid phase) or solid phase.

More explicitly, the coupling step involves the dehydrative coupling of a free carboxyl of one reactant with the free amino group of the other reactant in the presence of a coupling agent to form a linking amide bond. Descriptions of such coupling agents are found in general textbooks on peptide chemistry, for example, M. Bodanszky, “Peptide Chemistry”, 2nd rev ed., Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany, (1993). Examples of suitable coupling agents are N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, 1-hydroxybenzotriazole in the presence of N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or N-ethyl-N′-[(3-dimethylamino)propyl]carbodiimide. A practical and useful coupling agent is the commercially available (benzotriazol-1-yloxy)tris-(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate, either by itself or in the presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole. Another practical and useful coupling agent is commercially available 2-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate. Still another practical and useful coupling agent is commercially available O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate.

The coupling reaction is conducted in an inert solvent, e.g. dichloromethane, acetonitrile or dimethylformamide. An excess of a tertiary amine, e.g. diisopropylethylamine, N-methylmorpholine or N-methylpyrrolidine, is added to maintain the reaction mixture at a pH of about 8. The reaction temperature usually ranges between 0° C. and 50° C. and the reaction time usually ranges between 15 min and 24 h.

When a solid phase synthetic approach is employed, the C-terminal carboxylic acid is attached to an insoluble carrier (usually polystyrene). These insoluble carriers contain a group that will react with the carboxylic group to form a bond that is stable to the elongation conditions but readily cleaved later. Examples of which are: chloro- or bromomethyl resin, hydroxymethyl resin, trityl resin and 2-methoxy-4-alkoxy-benzylalcohol resin.

Many of these resins are commercially available with the desired C-terminal amino acid already incorporated. Alternatively, the amino acid can be incorporated on the solid support by known methods (Wang, S.-S., J. Am. Chem. Soc., (1973), 95, 1328; Atherton, E.; Shepard, R. C. “Solid-phase peptide synthesis; a practical approach” IRL Press: Oxford, (1989); 131-148). In addition to the foregoing, other methods of peptide synthesis are described in Stewart and Young, “Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis”, 2nd ed., Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, Ill. (1984); Gross, Meienhofer, Udenfriend, Eds., “The Peptides: Analysis, Synthesis, Biology”, Vol. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 9, Academic Press, New-York, (1980-1987); Bodansky et al., “The Practice of Peptide Synthesis” Springer-Verlag, New-York (1984) in the literature.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is illustrated in further detail by the following non-limiting examples.

Temperatures are given in degrees Celsius. Solution percentages express a weight to volume relationship, and solution ratios express a volume to volume relationship, unless stated otherwise. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were recorded on a Bruker 400 MHz spectrometer; the chemical shifts (δ) are reported in parts per million. Flash chromatography was carried out on silica gel (SiO₂) according to Still's flash chromatography technique (W. C. Still et al., J. Org. Chem., (1978), 43, 2923). Analytical HPLC was carried out under standard conditions using a Combiscreen ODS-AQ C18 reverse phase column, YMC, 50×4.6 mm i.d., 5 μM, 120 Å at 220 nM, elution with a linear gradient as described in the following table (Solvent A is 0.06% TFA in H₂O; solvent B is 0.06% TFA in CH₃CN): Time (min) Flow (mL/min) Solvent A (%) Solvent B (%) 0 3.0 95 5 0.5 3.0 95 5 6.0 3.0 50 50 10.5 3.5 0 100

Abbreviations used in the examples include

AcOH: acetic acid;

Bn: benzyl;

Boc: tert-butyloxycarbonyl {Me₃C—O—C(O)};

brosyl: p-bromobenzenesulfonyl;

CDI: N,N′-Carbonyldiimidazole;

DBU: 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene;

DCC: 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide;

DCM: dichloromethane;

DIC: diisopropylcarbodiimide;

DIPEA: diisopropylethylamine;

DMAP: 4-dimethylaminopyridine;

DME: 1,2-dimethoxyethane;

DMF: dimethylformamide;

DMSO: dimethylsulfoxide;

EDTA: ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid;

Et: ethyl;

EtOH: ethanol;

EtOAc: ethyl acetate;

Et₂O: diethyl ether;

HATU: [O-7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate];

HOAt: 1-hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole;

HPLC: high performance liquid chromatography;

IBCF: iso-butyl chloroformate;

LAH: lithium aluminum hydride;

LHMDS: lithium hexamethyldisilazide;

Me: methyl;

MeOH: methanol;

MS: mass spectrometry;

NaHMDS: sodium hexamethyldisilazide;

NMO: N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide;

NMP: N-methylpyrrolidone;

Pr: propyl;

t_(R): retention time;

TBAF: tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride;

TBDMSCI: tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride;

TBTU: 2-(1H-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate;

TEA: triethylamine;

TFA: trifluoroacetic acid;

THF: tetrahydrofuran;

TPAP: tetra-n-propylammonium perruthenate;

Tris/HCl: tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane hydrochloride;

Ts: tosyl (p-methylbenzenesulfonyl)

RT: room temperature.

Synthesis of P1 Fragments

The preparation, separation and identification of the stereoisomers of the P1 fragments of compounds of formula (I) were carried out using the protocols outlined in WO 00/59929, published Oct. 12, 2000, and WO 00/09543, published on Feb. 24, 2000. In particular, reference is made to pages 33-35, Example 1 of WO00/59929 and pages 56-69, Example 9-20 of WO 00/09543 for the preparation of 1-aminocyclopropylcarboxylic acid P1 moieties.

Synthesis of P2 Fragments

Generally, P2 moieties of compounds of formula (I) can be prepared using the protocols outlined in WO 00/59929, WO 00/09543, WO 03/064456 and WO 03/064416.

R² moieties of compounds of formula 1 are either commercially available, have been described previously in the literature or are synthesized according to methods provided in the examples below. General methods for the synthesis of some of these fragments are described in WO 00/59929, WO 00/09543, WO 03/064456 and WO 03/064416 and more specific and pertinent examples are provided below.

General methods for the introduction of the R² substituent on the proline to produce the required 4-substituted proline where R²⁰ is attached to the proline ring via an oxygen (—O—) or a sulfur (—S—), can be carried out as described in WO 00/59929, WO 00/09543, WO 03/064456 and WO 03/064416. Other analogs can also be synthesized using this methodology.

Preparation of P2 Aniline Moieties

The corresponding anilines in P2 fragments are commercially available or may require some well known chemical transformation. For example the nitro derivative may be commercially available and is then converted to the corresponding amine by using a reducing agent. Also when the carboxylic acid is commercially available, it can be transformed into the corresponding amine via a Curtius rearrangement.

Example 1A Synthesis of P2 Building Block 2-methyl-3-methoxy aniline (1a2)

To a solution of 2-methyl-3-nitro anisole which is commercially available (1a1) (5.1 g; 30.33 mmol; requires ˜30 min. to dissolve) in absolute ethanol (85 mL) was added 10% Pd/C catalyst (500 mg). The solution was hydrogenated under a hydrogen filled balloon at atmospheric pressure and room temperature for 19 h. The reaction mixture was filtered through a Celite pad, rinsed and evaporated to dryness to obtain the compound 1a2 as a deep mauve oil (4.1 g; 29.81 mmol; 98% yield). MS 137 (MH)+. Reverse Phase HPLC Homogeneity@220 nm (0.06% TFA; CH₃CN; H₂O): 99%.

Example 1B Synthesis of P2 Moiety 2-bromo-3-methoxy aniline (1b4)

Step A:

2-Amino-3-nitrophenol 1b1 (5 g; 32.4 mmol) was dissolved in H₂O (29.5 mL) and 1,4-dioxane (14.7 mL). The mixture was heated to reflux and hydrobromic acid (48%; 16.7 mL; 147 mmol) was added dropwise over a period of 20 min. Upon completion of the addition, the reflux was maintained an additional 15 min. The reaction was cooled to 0° C. (ice bath), and sodium nitrite (2.23 g; 32.3 mmol) in H₂O (20 mL) was added over a period of 30 min. The stirring was continued for 15 min. at 0° C., the mixture transferred to a jacketed dropping funnel (0° C.) and added dropwise to a stirred mixture of Cu(I)Br (5.34 g; 37.2 mmol) in H₂O (29.5 mL) and HBr (48%; 16.7 mL; 147 mmol) at 0° C. The reaction was stirred for 15 min. at 0° C., warmed to 60° C., stirred for an additional 15 min., cooled to room temperature, and left to stir overnight. The reaction mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel and extracted with ether (3×150 mL). The organic layers were combined, washed with brine (1×), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated to afford the crude product (7.99 g) as a red-brown oil. The crude material was purified by flash column chromatography (1:25 ultra pure silica gel, 230-400 mesh, 40-60mm, 60 angstroms; CH₂Cl₂as the solvent) to afford pure 2-bromo-3-nitrophenol 1b2 (45%; 3.16 g) as an orange-brown solid. MS 217.8 (MH)⁻. Homogeneity by HPLC (TFA)@220 nm: 97%.

Step B:

The nitrophenol starting material 1b2 (3.1 g; 14.2 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (20 mL) and to the solution was added ground cesium carbonate (5.58 g; 17.1 mmol) followed by MeI (2.6 mL; 42.5 mmol). The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The DMF was evaporated, the residue taken up in ether (1×200 mL), washed with water (1×200 mL), brine (4×100 mL), dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated to afford the crude 2-bromo-3-nitroanisole 1b3 (94%; 3.1 g) as an orange solid. MS 234 (M+2H)⁺; Homogeneity by HPLC (TFA)@220 nm: 98%

Step C:

2-Bromo-3-nitroanisole 1b3 (1.00 g; 4.31 mmol) was dissolved in glacial acetic acid (11.0 mL)/ethanol (11.0 mL) and to the solution was added iron powder (0.98 g; 17.5 mmol). The mixture was stirred at reflux for 3.5 hr and worked up. The reaction mixture was diluted with water (35 mL), neutralized with solid Na₂CO₃ and the product extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL). The extracts were dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo to afford the crude product, 2-bromo-3 methoxyaniline 1b4 (91%; 0.79 g) as a pale yellow oil. MS 201.8 (MH)⁺; Homogeneity by HPLC (TFA)@220 nm: 95%

Example 1C Synthesis of P2 Moiety 2-chloro-3-methoxy aniline (1c3)

Step A:

2-Amino-3-nitrophenol 1 b1 (5 g; 32.4 mmol) was dissolved in concentrated HCl (75 mL) and 1,4-dioxane (14.7 mL). The mixture was heated to 70° C. until most of the solids were in solution. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0° C. (ice bath), and sodium nitrite (2.23 g; 32.3 mmol) in H₂O (5.4 mL) was added over a period of 3 hours to the brown solution. The temperature was maintained below 10° C. during the addition and the stirring was continued for an additional 15 min. at 0° C. This diazonium intermediate was poured into a solution of Cu(I)Cl (3.8 g; 38.9 mmol) in H₂O (18.5 mL) and conc. HCl (18.5 mL) at 0° C. The reaction was stirred for 15 min. at 0° C., warmed to 60° C., and stirred for an additional 15 min. The reaction mixture was then brought to room temperature, and left to stir overnight. The reaction mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel and extracted with ether (3×150 mL). The organic layers were combined, washed with brine (1×), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated to afford the crude product (5.83 g) as a red-brown oil. The crude material was purified by flash column chromatography (1:25 ultra pure silica gel, 230-400 mesh, 40-60mm, 60 angstroms; 3:1 hexane/EtOAc as the solvent) to afford pure 2-chloro-3-nitrophenol 1c1 (48%; 2.7 g) as an orange solid. MS 171.8 (MH)⁻: Homogeneity by HPLC (TFA)@220 nm: 96%.

Relevant literature for the Sandmeyer Reaction: J. Med. Chem, 1982, 25(4), 446-451.

Step B:

The nitrophenol starting material 1c1 (1.3 g; 7.49 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (10 mL) and to this solution was added ground cesium carbonate (2.92 g; 8.96 mmol), followed by MeI (1.4 mL; 22.5 mmol). The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The DMF was evaporated in vacuo and the residue taken up in ether (150 mL), washed with water (150 mL), brine (4×100 mL), and then dried over (MgSO₄). The organic phase was filtered and evaporated to afford the crude 2-chloro-3-nitroanisole 1c2 (98%; 1.38 g) as an orange solid. Homogeneity by HPLC (TFA)@220 nm: 93%.

Step C:

2-Chloro-3-nitroanisole 1c2 (1.38 g; 7.36 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of glacial acetic acid (19 mL)/ethanol (19 mL). To this solution was added iron powder (1.64 g; 29.4 mmol). The mixture was stirred at reflux for 3.5 hr and worked up. The reaction mixture was diluted with water (70 mL), neutralized with solid Na₂CO₃ and the product extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×150 mL). The extracts were combined and washed with sat. brine and then dried over (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo to afford the crude product, 2-chloro-3-methoxyaniline 1c3 (100%; 1.2 g) as a yellow oil. This material was used as such in the following steps. MS 157.9 (MH)⁺; Homogeneity by HPLC (TFA)@220 nm: 86%.

Preparation of P2 Quinoline Moieties

Example 1D General Protocol for the Preparation of 2-alkoxy Substituted 4-hydroxyquinolines (1D)

The following P2 hydroxyquinoline moieties bearing an alkoxy group (OR²⁰¹) at the 2-position, wherein R^(200a) and R^(200b) are each independently selected from R²⁰⁰ wherein R²⁰⁰ is as defined herein can be prepared according to the following scheme:

Briefly, following the known Pinner synthesis, a suitably functionalized cyanoester is condensed with the corresponding alcohol using a fully saturated HCl/Et₂O solution [Neilson, in Patai, “The Chemistry of Amidines and Imidates.” pp. 385-489, Wiley, NY, 1975.]. The resulting imidate salt is then subsequently condensed with an appropriately substituted aniline to form the aniline derived imidate. Thermal cyclization affords the corresponding 2-alkoxy substituted 4-hydroxyquinolines 1d.

For example, when R²⁰¹ is Et in the above scheme, ethyl cyanoacetate and ethanol are used as reagents. When R²⁰¹ is Me in the above scheme, methyl cyanoacetate and methanol are used as reagents

Example 1E General Protocol for the Preparation of 2-alkyl Substituted 4-hydroxyquinolines (1E)

The following P2 hydroxyquinoline moieties where R^(200c) of the β-ketoester moiety is an alkyl group and wherein R^(200a) and R^(200b) are each independently selected from R²⁰⁰ wherein R²⁰⁰ is as defined herein can be prepared according to the following scheme:

Briefly, appropriately substituted β-ketoesters are condensed with substituted anilines and subsequently thermally cyclized to afford the corresponding 2-alkyl substituted hydroxyquinolines 1e. For example, when the initial condensation reaction with the aniline (step A) is performed with the corresponding methyl ketone, a methyl group is incorporated in the 2-position of the resulting hydroxyquinoline.

Example 1F General Protocol for the Preparation of 2-alkylthio Substituted 4-hydroxyquinolines (1F)

In general, various P2 hydroxyquinolines having a 2-alkylthio group (SR²⁰¹ wherein R²⁰¹ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl) at the 2-position wherein R^(200a) and R^(200b) are each independently selected from R²⁰⁰ wherein R²⁰⁰ is as defined herein were prepared as shown in the following scheme:

Briefly, condensation of diethyl malonate under basic conditions with a suitably functionalized isothiocyanate produces the malonate adduct as a salt. Treatment of the salt with an alkylating reagent (e.g. Etl) produces a mixture of S- and N-alkylated products. Thermal cyclization of this mixture gives the 3-ethyl carboxylate which is saponified and decarboxylated to produce the desired 2-alkylthio substituted hydroxyquinolines 1f. For example, utilization of Etl in the alkylation step results in the formation of the 2-ethylthio analog.

Example 1G Synthesis of P2 Moiety 2-ethoxy-4-hydroxy-8-chloroquinoline (1g5)

Step A:

To ethyl cyanoacetate 1g1 (23 g, 0.203 mol) was added absolute ethanol (10 g, 12.7 mL, 0.22 mol) in diethyl ether (20 mL). The solution was cooled to 0° C. in an ice bath before being treated with HCl gas (bubbled through solution for 12 minutes resulted in an increase in weight of 12 g (˜0.33 mol)). This solution was stirred at 0° C. for 6 h and then allowed to warm to RT and was stirred for 16 h. The resultant solid was broken up and washed several times with ether and then placed in vacuo for several hours. The imidate salt 1g2 was obtained as a white solid (36.4 g, 92%) and was stored under a nitrogen atmosphere. The ¹H NMR was consistent with the desired product.

Step B:

The imidate salt 1g2 (1.47 g, 7.5 mmol, 1 eq.) was combined with 2-chloroaniline 1g3 (0.96 g, 7.50 mmol, 1 eq.) in ethanol (15 mL) under an N₂ atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred at RT (16 h) and monitored by HPLC. The reaction mixture was concentrated and then purified directly over silica gel (eluent: 10% EtOAc/Hexanes) to afford the condensation product 1g4 as a clear oil (1.73 g, 86%). MS electrospray: (MH)⁺; 270 and (M−H)⁻; 268. TLC (UV) Rf=0.50 (10% EtOAc/hexane).

Step C:

The condensation product 1g4 (1.73 g, 6.41 mmol) was dissolved in diphenyl ether (10 mL) and placed in a sand bath (300° C.). The internal temperature was monitored and allowed to stay between 240-250° C. for 8 minutes. The mixture was cooled and then directly loaded on a silica gel column and eluted first with hexanes, then with 30% EtOAc/Hexanes and finally 50% EtOAc/hexanes. The product was concentrated and dried in vacuo to give the corresponding 4-hydroxyquinoline derivative 1g5 as a beige crystalline solid (0.76 g, 53%). MS electrospray: (M+H)⁺; 224 and (M−H)⁻; 222.

Example 1H Synthesis of P2 Moiety 4-hydroxy-8-chloroquinoline 1h3

Step A:

To 2-chloroaniline 1g3 (1.6 mL, 15.2 mmol, 1 eq) dissolved in anhydrous acetonitrile (50 mL) at RT was added Meldrum's acid 1h1 (2.41 g, 16.73 mmol, 1.1 eq), followed by trimethyl orthoformate (2.0 mL, 18.25 mmol, 1.2 eq). The resulting mixture was heated to reflux (95° C.) for 2 h and monitoring by analytical HPLC until complete. The resulting solution was cooled to RT and evaporated to dryness to afford a beige solid that was recrystallized from boiling MeOH. After drying in vacuo adduct 1h2 was obtained as a bright yellow solid (2.29 g, 53%).

Step B:

In a pre-heated sand bath (300-350° C.), diphenyl ether (6 mL) was heated until the internal temperature reached 220° C. Adduct 1h2 (981 mg, 3.48 mmol) was added portionwise over ca. 4 min period (gas evolution) to the heated solvent. The temperature (220° C.) was maintained for another 5 min. after which the solution was allowed to cool. Upon cooling, the product crashed out of solution and was filtered and washed with diethyl ether. After drying in vacuo (16 h), product 1h3 was obtained as a beige solid (417 mg, 67%). MS: (M+H)⁺; 180.

Example 1I Synthesis of P2 Moiety 8-Chloro-4-hydroxy-2-methylquinoline 2i3

Step A:

To a solution of ethyl acetoacetate 1i1 (1.21 mL, 9.51 mmol; 1 eq) in benzene (20 mL) was added 2-chloroaniline 1g3 (1.0 mL; 9.51 mmol; 1eq) followed by catalytic PTSA (13 mg). The reaction flask was equipped with a Dean-Stark apparatus and heated to reflux for 2 hours. The solvent was removed and the residue purified by column chromatography using silica gel (eluent: 10% EtOAc/Hexanes; R_(f)=0.48) to give compound 1i2 (1.46 g, 64%) as a clear oil. MS: (M+H)⁺; 240, HPLC homogeneity=99.5%.

Step B:

In a pre-heated sand bath (300-350° C.), compound 1i2 (730 mg, 3.0 mmol) in diphenyl ether (8 mL) was heated until the internal temperature reached 220° C. and that temperature was maintained for 7 minutes after which the solution was allowed to cool. Upon cooling, a beige solid crashed out and was filtered and washed with diethyl ether. After drying, the desired quinoline 1i3 was obtained as a beige solid (452 mg, 77%). MS: (M+H)⁺; 194, HPLC homogeneity=99%.

Example 1J Synthesis of P2 Moiety 2-ethylthio-8-chloro-4-hydroxyquinoline (1j7)

Step A:

To THF (30 mL) was added sodium hydride (60% in oil, 920 mg, 23 mmol, 1.2 eq) before being cooled to 0° C. Diethyl malonate (2.91 mL, 19.15 mmol, 1.0 eq) was then added dropwise (gas evolution) and this solution was allowed to warm to RT and was stirred for 1 hr. This mixture was cooled down to 0° C. before the addition of 2-chlorophenyl isothiocyanate 1j1 (2.5 mL, 19.15 mmol, 1.0 eq). The resulting mixture was again allowed to warm to RT for 3 h until the starting material was consumed. The orange solution was concentrated down and dried in vacuo to afford the sodium salt adduct 1j2 (6.73 g, 100%) as an orange crystalline solid. This material was used as is for subsequent steps.

Step B:

A solution of adduct 1j2 (6.0 g, 17.06 mmol, 1 eq) in DMF (50 mL) was cooled down to −45° C. Ethyl iodide (1.64 mL, 20.5 mmol, 1.2 eq) was then slowly added and the solution was stirred at 45° C. for 2 h and then at RT (16 h). Water was added and the mixture was extracted twice with a mixture of ether/hexanes (1:1, 3×150 mL). The combined organic fractions were washed with water (2×), dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to afford approximately a 1:1 mixture of 1j3 and 1j4 (S versus N alkylation) (6.1 g, 100%) as a yellow oil. This mixture can be used in the following step since only the S-alkylated analog will cyclize.

Step C:

In a pre-heated sand bath (350° C.) a solution of compounds 1j3 and 1j4 (6.1 g, 17.05 mmol, 1 eq.) in diphenyl ether (60 mL) was heated until the internal temperature reached 220° C., which was maintained for 7 minutes. The solution was cooled to RT and the mixture loaded directly on a silica gel column, being eluted first with hexanes (1L) to remove the diphenyl ether, and then 3% EtOAc/hexanes to afford the desired quinoline 1j5 (2.76 g, 52%) as a pale yellow solid.

Step D:

To a solution of quinoline 1j5 (2.76 g crude; 8.85 mmol; 1 eq) in THF (10 mL) and methanol (10 mL) at RT was added 1N NaOH (45 mL; 45 mmol; 5.1 eq). The reaction was allowed to stir at reflux (85° C.) for 24 h (monitored by HPLC). The mixture was acidified using 4N HCl and extracted using methylene chloride (3×). The organic fractions were dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to afford the quinoline acid 1j6 (2.43 g, 97%) as a pale yellow solid. MS: (M+H)⁺; 284. This material was used as is for the following reaction.

Step E:

Compound 1j6 (2.43 g, 8.56 mmol) was added to diphenyl ether (20 mL) and the heterogeneous mixture was heated to 250° C. for 12 minutes before being cooled. The mixture was directly transferred to a silica gel column and eluted first with hexanes (to remove diphenyl ether), and then with 30% and 50% EtOAc/hexanes (R_(f)=0.48 in EtOAC/hexanes (1:1)). Evaporation of the solvent afforded the desired 2-ethylthio-8-chloro-4-hydroxyquinoline 1j7 (1.25 g, 61%) as a pale yellow solid. MS: (M+H)⁺; 240, HPLC homogeneity=99%.

Example 1K Synthesis of P2 Moiety 8-chloro-2-ethoxy-4-hydroxy-1,7-naphthyridine (1k3)

Step A:

To 3-amino-2-chloro-pyridine 1k1 (964 mg, 7.5 mmol, 1 eq) was added imidate 1g2 (1.47 g, 7.5 mmol, 1 eq) in ethanol (15 mL) under a N₂ atmosphere. The mixture was stirred at RT for 24 h at which point the reaction was concentrated and purified directly on a silica gel column (eluent: EtOAc/Hexanes (1:9)) to afford adduct 1k2 (1.54 g, 76%) as a clear oil.

Step B:

Adduct 1k2 (200 mg, 0.74 mmol) was dissolved in diphenyl ether (5 mL) and placed in a pre-heated sand bath (300° C.). The internal temperature was monitored and allowed to stay between 210° C.-225° C. for 7 minutes. The mixture was directly loaded on a silica gel column and eluted with hexanes to remove diphenyl ether, followed by a gradient of 30% to 50% EtOAc/hexanes: (Rf=0.48 in 1:1 EtOAc/hexanes). Concentration and drying in vacuo afforded the desired napthyridine 1k3 (32mg, 19%) as a white solid. MS: 225 (M+H)+.

Example 1L Synthesis of P2 Moiety 2-ethoxy-8-methylthio-4-hydroxyquinoline (1l3)

Step A:

The imidate salt 1g2(1.4 g, 7.2 mmol, 1 eq.) was combined with 2-(methylthio)aniline 1l1 (0.96 g, 7.50 mmol, 1 eq.) in ethanol (15 mL) under an N₂ atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred at RT (1 h) and monitored by HPLC. The reaction mixture was concentrated and then ether was added and the mixture filtered. The solids were washed with ether and the combined ether washes concentrated in vacuo. The resulting adduct 1l2 was obtained as a yellow oil (1.66 g, 82%) and used as is in the next step. MS electrospray: (M+H)⁺; 282 and (M−H)⁻; 280.

Step B:

The condensation product 1l2 (1.66 g, 5.90 mmol) was dissolved in diphenyl ether (10 mL) and placed in a sand bath (300° C.). The internal temperature was monitored and allowed to stay between 240-250° C. for 10 minutes. The mixture was cooled and then directly loaded on a silica gel column and eluted first with hexanes, then with 30% EtOAc/Hexanes and finally 50% EtOAc/hexanes. The product was concentrated and dried in vacuo to give the corresponding 4-hydroxyquinoline derivative 1l3 as a yellow solid (0.735 g, 53%). MS electrospray: (M+H)⁺; 236 and (M−H)⁻; 234.

Example 1M Synthesis of P2 Moiety 2-ethoxy-7-Methoxy-8-methyl-4-hydroxyquinoline (1m3)

Step A:

The imidate salt 1g2 (1.5 g, 7.65 mmol) was combined with 2-methyl-3-aminoanisole 1m1 (1.05 g, 7.65 mmol, 1 eq.) in ethanol (15 mL) under an N₂ atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred at RT (24 h) and monitored by HPLC. The reaction mixture was concentrated and then ether was added and the mixture filtered. The solids were washed with ether and the combined ether washes concentrated in vacuo. The resulting adduct 1m2 was purified by chromatography (SiO₂, 15% EtOAc/hexanes) to obtain as a yellow oil (2.11 g, 99%). MS electrospray: (M+H)⁺; 280 and (M−H)⁻; 278.

Step B:

The condensation product 1m2 (2.1 g, 7.52 mmol) was dissolved in diphenyl ether (10 mL) and placed in a sand bath (300° C.). The internal temperature was monitored and allowed to stay between 240-250° C. for 10 minutes. The mixture was cooled and then directly loaded on a silica gel column and eluted first with hexanes, then with 30% EtOAc/Hexanes and finally 50% EtOAc/hexanes. The product was concentrated and dried in vacuo to give the corresponding 4-hydroxyquinoline derivative 1m3 as a yellow oil which solidified upon standing to a yellow solid (1.09g, 62%). MS electrospray: (M+H)⁺; 233.4 and (M−H)⁻; 231.9.

Example 1N Synthesis of P2 Building Block 2-ethoxy-8-Methoxy-4-hydroxyquinoline (1n3)

Step A and B:

Beginning with ortho-anisidine 1n1 and following the same protocol as outlined in previous examples, the desired 8-methoxyquinoline derivative 1n3 was obtained in 38% overall yield as a pale yellow solid. MS: 220 (M+H)⁺.

Example 1O Synthesis of P2 Building Block 8-bromo-2-ethoxy-4-hydroxy-7-methoxy-quinoline (1o2)

Step A:

To 2-bromo-3-aminoanisole 1b4 (750 mg, 3.7 mmol, 1 eq) was added imidate 1g2 (0.73 g, 3.7 mmol, 1 eq) in ethanol (7 mL) under a N₂ atmosphere. The mixture was stirred at RT for 24 h at which point the reaction was concentrated and purified directly on a silica gel column (eluent: EtOAc/Hexanes (1:9)) to afford adduct 1o1 (1.12 g, 88%) as a pale yellow oil. MS: 344 (M+H)⁺ and 346 (MH+2)⁺.

Step B:

Adduct 1o1 (1.12 g, 3.25 mmol) was dissolved in diphenyl ether (10 mL) and placed in a pre-heated sand bath (300° C.). The internal temperature was monitored and allowed to stay between 240° C-250° C. for 8 minutes. The mixture was directly loaded on a silica gel column and eluted with hexanes to remove diphenyl ether, followed by a gradient of 30% to 50% EtOAc/hexanes: (R_(f)=0.25 in 1:1 EtOAc/hexanes). Concentration and drying in vacuo afforded the desired quinoline 1o2 (734 mg, 76%) as a white solid. MS: 298 (M+H)⁺ and 300 (MH+2)⁺.

Example 1P Synthesis of P2 Moiety 5-ethoxy-thieno[3.2-b]pyridin-7-ol (1p3)

Step A: To available thiophen-3-ylamine 1p1 (0.50 g, 5.04 mmol) was added imidate 1g2 (1.08 g, 5.5 mmol) in ethanol (10 mL) under a N₂ atmosphere. The mixture was stirred at RT for 3 h at which point the reaction was concentrated. To the residue was added ether, and the suspension filtered and washed with ether to afford adduct 1p2(1.0 g, 82%). This material was sufficiently clean to be used in the subsequent step. MS: 242.1 (MH)+.

Step B:

Adduct 1p2 (1.0 g, 4.14 mmol) was dissolved in diphenyl ether (5 mL) and placed in a pre-heated sand bath (300° C.). The internal temperature was monitored and allowed to stay between 210° C.-225° C. for 7 minutes. The mixture was directly loaded on a silica gel column and eluted with hexanes to remove diphenyl ether, followed by a gradient of 30% EtOAc/hexane to neat EtOAc. Concentration and drying in vacuo afforded the desired thieno[3.2-b]pyridinol 1p3 (200 mg, 25%) as a brown solid. MS: 196 (MH)+.

Example 1Q General Synthesis of P2 Moiety 6-Substituted-2H-isoquinoline-1-one (1q3)

Briefly, 6-substituted isoquinolones, wherein R^(200a) is R²⁰⁰ as defined herein, can be made from 3-substituted cinnamic acid derivatives by first activation with a chloroformate in base followed by treatment with an azide source. The resulting acyl azide can undergo a Curtius rearrangement followed by thermal cyclization to afford the appropriately substituted isoquinolones. As described here, the cinnamic acid can be differentially substituted.

Example 1R Preparation of 6-methoxy-2H-isoquinoline-1-one (1r3)

In general, the isoquinolines were prepared according to the following reference; Tetrahedron, 2002, 58, 5761-5766.

Step A:

The 3-methoxycinnamic acid 1r1 (2.5 g, 14.03 mmol) was dissolved in acetone (40 mL) and treated with triethylamine (3.94 mL, 28.06 mmol). The solution was cooled to 0° C. and then treated dropwise with ethyl chloroformate (2.0 mL, 21 mmol). A white precipitate immediately formed upon addition of each drop. The solution was stirred for 1 h (with a suspension) before being treated with sodium azide (0.91 g, 14.03 mmol) in 10 mL of H₂O dropwise over 30 min. The mixture was allowed to stir at rt 16 h before being diluted with water (20 mL) and the volatiles removed in vacuo. The aqueous phase was extracted with toluene (2×60 mL), dried over MgSO₄, and then filtered and concentrated to give a yellow oil (2.23 g) which solidified to a yellow solid 1r2 upon standing.

Step B:

The diphenyl ether (10 mL) and tributylamine (7 mL) were heated in a sand bath to 190° C. before the dropwise addition of the acyl azide 1r2 (behind an explosion shield) in toluene (5 mL) over several minutes. The toluene distilled off and the temperature was raised to 210° C. for 2 h. After cooling, the precipitated product was collected by filtration and washed with hexanes to give the desired isoquinoline 1r3 (0.47 g, 19%). MS (electrospray); (M+H)⁺; 176 and (M−H)⁻; 174. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 11.05 (bs, 1H), 8.07 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.16-7.09 (m, 2H), 7.04 (dd, J=9, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.47 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 1H), 3.86 (s, 3H).

Example 1S Synthesis of P2 Moiety 4-hydroxy-7-methoxy-8-methyl-quinoline (1s2)

Step 1:

To aniline 1a2 (Example 1A) (504 mg; 3.67 mmol) dissolved in anhydrous acetonitrile (5.0 mL) was added Meldrum's acid 1h1 (582.4 mg; 4.04 mmol) followed by trimethyl orthoformate (482.3 μL; 4.41 mmol). The resulting brown solution was refluxed for 2 hours and the reaction judged complete by HPLC and TLC (Hexane:EtOAc; 6:4) Note: With the onset of heat a grey precipitate formed rendering stirring difficult . Therefore, an additional 5 mL of acetonitrile was added to eventually obtain a clear yellow solution within the first hour. The reaction mixture was cooled to RT and evaporated to dryness. The crude yellow solid was dissolved in a minimum amount of boiling MeOH and water slowly added till just cloudy to precipitate the product which was filtered, rinsed with water and dried to provide a light tan crystalline solid 1s1 (845.5 mg; 79% yield). NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) and MS 290.1 confirmed the product. Homogeneity by HPLC (TFA)@220 nm: 99%.

Step 2:

A three-neck flask containing diphenyl ether (1.9 mL; 11.75 mmol) was placed into a preheated sand bath heated to ˜300° C. and the sand bath allowed to slowly heat further to —330° C. so as the internal temperature was between 245-250° C. The aniline derivative 1s1 was added portion-wise (immediately seeing gas evolution) at a rate as to maintain the internal temperature at 240-245° C. (addition time 5-10min). Once addition was complete, the yellow solution was maintained at 245-250° C. for 20 minutes. TLC (Hexane:EtOAc 6:4) indicated the consumption of starting material, however, the reaction mixture was left another 20 minutes to ensure complete intermediate decarboxylation. The mixture was worked-up by cooling the brownish solution to RT at which time a solid precipitated. The material was triturated with ether, filtered, rinsed and dried to provide the quinoline product 1s2 as a tan brown solid (216.7 mg; 83%). NMR (DMSO, 400 MHz) indicates the product to be mainly in the keto tautomer form. MS 187.9,190.0 confirmed the product. Homogeneity by HPLC (TFA)@220 nm: 97%.

Example 1T Synthesis of P2 Moiety 4-hydroxy-8-methylthio-quinoline (1t3):

Step 1:

2-Methylthioaniline 1t1 (2 g, 14.36 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous acetonitrile (50 mL) at RT. Meldrum's acid 1h1 (2.48 g, 17.3 mmol) was then added, followed by trimethyl orthoformate (2 mL, 18.6 mmol). The resulting mixture was then heated to reflux (95° C.) for 2 h. The solution was cooled to rt, and evaporated to dryness to obtained an orange solid that was triturated with MeOH, filtered and to afford 3.33 g of a pale yellow solid (79%) 1t2, which was used as such for the next step.

Step 2:

In a pre-heated sand bath (300-350° C.), diphenyl ether (5 mL) was heated until the internal temperature reached 220° C., then 1t2 (3.34 g, 1.14 mmol) was added portionwise over a 4 min period (gas evolution). The same temperature was maintained for another 5 min after which the solution was cooled down. Ether was added. After stirring for 12 h, a beige solid precipitated, filtered and washed with diethyl ether, dried under vacuum to afford 669 mg of a beige solid 1t3 (30%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) 11.06 (s, 1H), 8.00 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.81 (t, J=7.2 Hz, J=13.7 Hz, 1H), 7.75 (dd, J=1.0 Hz, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.30 (t, J=7.8 Hz, J=15.5 Hz, 1H), 6.08 (d, J=7.4 Hz, 1H), 2.52 (s, 3H). MS (ESI) M+H=191.9, M−H=189.9

Synthesis of P1′ Fragments

Example 2A Synthesis of P1′ Fragment Sulfamide 2a3

Step 1:

Reagent 2a1 (0.3 g, 0.99 mmol) [prepared according to Winum, J-Y; Toupet, L; Barragan, V; Dewynter, G; Montero, J-L., Org. Lett., 14(3), 2241-2243 (2001)] was suspended in CH₂Cl₂ before morpholine (0.086 mL, 0.99 mmol) was added and stirred for 5 h. The reaction was followed by TLC. On completion the reaction mixture was directly adsorbed on the silica gel and eluted the product with 6% MeOH in CHCl₃ to afford 0.258 g (98%) of compound 2a2 as a white solid.

Step 2:

Compound 2a2 (0.150 g, 0.56 mmol) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) and treated with TFA (1 mL). The reaction was stirred for 4 h and monitored by TLC. Upon completion, the solvent was evaporated and the residue directly adsorbed on the silica gel and eluted with 5% MeOH in CHCl₃ to afford 0.075 g (80.2%) of compound 2a3 as a white solid.

Example 2B Synthesis of P1′ Fragment Sulfamide (2b2)

Step A:

Reagent 2a1 (1.5 g, 4.98 mmol) was suspended in 12 mL of CH₂Cl₂ before the pyrroline (0.40 mL, 5.22 mmol, 1.05 equiv.) was added and stirred overnight. On completion, the reaction mixture was directly adsorbed on the silica gel and eluted the product with 1% AcOEt in CH₂Cl₂ to afford 0.919 g (74%) of compound 2b1 as a white solid.

Step B:

Compound 2b1 (0.919 g, 3.70 mmol) was dissolved in 10 mL of CH₂Cl₂ and treated with TFA (2 mL). The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 4 h. The solvent was then evaporated in vacuo, the residue was dried under vacuum to afford 0.565 g (quantitative) of compound 2b2 as a beige solid.

Example 2C Synthesis of P1′ Fragment Sulfamide (2c2)

Step A:

Note: the reaction was performed on a solid phase synthesizer (Advanced Chemtech ACT 396), using the 96-wells block. The starting material 2a1 (45.2 mg, 0.15 mmol) was weighed in 96 Eppendorf vials and 96 different amines (0.18 mmol, 1.2 equiv.) were weighed and placed in separate Eppendorf vials. Each well of the reaction block were filled with 1.2 mL of 1,2-dichloroethane and the starting material 2a1 and the various amines were added. The reaction mixtures were shaken for 12 h in the case of aliphatic amines and for 36 h in the case of aniline derivatives. After the required stirring time, PS-trisamine resin was added to each well (Argonaut Technologies, 3.42 mmol/g loading, 0.63 mmol, 0.184 g, 4.2 equiv.). After shaking for 3 h, the solvent was drained and the resins were washed successively with CH₂Cl₂ (3×1 mL), MeOH (3×1 mL) and CH₂Cl₂ (3×1 mL). In each well was then added CH₂Cl₂ (1.2 mL) and AcOH (100 μl) and the shaking was maintained for 30 minutes. The solutions were drained in pre-tarred 2 drams vials to recover the filtrate and each resins were washed once with CH₂Cl₂ (1.2 mL) and MeOH (1.2 mL). The filtrates were recovered in the same 2-dram vials as before. The vials were finally placed on a vacuum centrifuge to remove the solvent and the desired products 2c1 were obtained in 41-54% yields (18-27 mg of product). Those compounds were used as is in the next step.

Step B:

The products 2c1 in 2-dram vials were dissolved in 1,2-dichloroethane (0.5 mL) and TFA (0.5 mL) and the vials were shaken on an orbital shaker for 1.5 h. The volatiles were removed on a vacuum centrifuge to afford the desired products 2c2 in yields ranging from 71% to quantitative (12-20 mg of product). Those compounds were used as is in the next step of synthesis of compounds of formula (I).

Example 2D Synthesis of P1′ Fragment 1-methylcyclopropylsulfonamide (2d7)

Cyclopropanesulfonamide can be prepared by amination of cyclopropanesulfonyl chloride, according to the literature reference of J. King et al., J. Org. Chem., 1993, 58, 1128-1135, or as set out below.

Step 1:

A dry 3 L 3-neck flask equipped with a magnetic stir bar, addition funnel and argon inlet was flushed with argon, then charged with 3-chloropropanesulfonyl chloride 2d1 (100.48 g, 0.57 mol, 1.0 eq). Anhydrous dichloromethane (900 mL) was transferred into the flask via cannula, the mixture was cooled in an ice/water bath and tert-butylamine (72 mL, 0.68 mol, 1.2 eq) was added. The mixture was stirred 15 minutes then a solution of triethylamine (158 mL, 1.13 mol, 2.0 eq) in anhydrous dichloromethane (100 mL) was added dropwise over 45 minutes and stirring was continued for 1 h. The mixture was diluted with dichloromethane (500 mL) and washed with 1N HCl (3×400 mL) and brine. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness to give compound 2d2 as an orange-beige solid (107.04 g, 88% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): 64.46 (s, 1H), 3.71 (tr, 2H), 3.25 (tr, 2H), 2.31 (m, 2H), 1.41 (s, 9H).

Step 2:

A dry 5 L 3-neck flask equipped with a magnetic stir bar, argon inlet and 2 addition funnels was flushed with argon and anhydrous THF (1.5 L) was transferred into the flask via cannula and cooled to −78° C. Compound 2d2 (96.73 g, 0.453 mol, 1.0 eq) was dissolved in anhydrous THF (390 mL) and the solution was transferred into one of the addition funnels. n-Butyllithium solution (2.5 M in hexanes, 390 mL, 0.975 mol, 2.15 eq) was transferred to the other addition funnel and the solutions in the addition funnels were added to the flask simultaneously over 4 hours. When addition was complete, the mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature. Once the internal temperature reached ˜0° C., the reaction was quenched by dropwise addition of saturated NH₄Cl solution (200 mL). The THF was removed under vacuum and the residue was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ (2 L) and water (1 L). The layers were separated and the organic layer was washed with water (2×1 L) and brine (800 mL), dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness. Compound 2d3 was obtained as an orange-beige solid (77.32 g, 96% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 4.25 (s, 1H), 2.48 (m, 1H), 1.42 (s, 9H), 1.19 (m), 1.01 (m).

Step 3:

A 2L flask equipped with a magnetic stir bar and condenser was charged with Compound 2d3 (82.53 g, 0.466 mol, 1.0 eq), dichloromethane (400 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (460 mL, 5.97 mol, 13 eq). The mixture was heated to reflux for 2 h, allowed to cool, and evaporated and co-evaporated several times with CH₂Cl₂ to remove most of the TFA. The crude product was dissolved in 95:5 CH₂Cl₂:MeOH and NH₄OH and was purified by silica gel column chromatography (94:5:1 CH₂Cl₂:MeOH:NH₄OH). Compound 2d4 was obtained as a beige solid (46.38 g, 78% yield). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 MHz): δ 6.79 (s, 2H), 2.54 (1H, under DMSO peak), 0.92 (4H).

Step 4:

To the solid cyclopropanesulfonamide 2d4 (1.51 g; 12.46 mmol) was added in sequence: di-t-butyl-dicarbonate (3.26 g; 14.95 mmol) dissolved in anhydrous dichloromethane (15 mL), triethylamine (2.6 mL; 18.65 mmol) and dimethylaminopyridine (76 mg; 0.622 mmol). The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature overnight and subsequently evaporated to near dryness. The residue was diluted with EtOAc, washed with 1N aq. HCl (3×) and brine (1×), dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated to dryness to provide the Boc-cyclopropylsulfonamide product 2d5 as a white solid (2.6 g ; 94%).

Step 5:

To a cooled solution (−78° C.) of the Boc-cyclopropanesulfonamide 2d5 (500 mg; 2.26 mmol) in anhydrous THF (15 mL) was added dropwise n-BuLi (2.1 mL; 5.20 mmol) and the mixture was allowed to stir 1 h at −78° C. Two portions of methyl iodide (each 280 μL; 4.52 mmol) were added with a one hour interval and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm slowly to RT and stir at RT overnight. The reaction mixture was adjusted to pH 3 with 1N aq. HCl and the product was extracted with EtOAc (3×). The combined EtOAc extracts were washed with brine (1×), dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated to dryness to provide the crude alkylated product 2d6 as a light yellow oil. The crude material was purified by flash chromatography over silica gel with hexane:EtOAc (9:1) as eluent to provide pure product as a yellow oil (151.8 mg; 29%).

Step 6:

To a solution of the Boc-1-methylcyclopropanesulfonamide 2d6 (151.8 mg; 0.65 mmol) in dichloromethane (6 mL) was added trifluroacetic acid (6 mL) and the mixture allowed to stir at RT for 3.5 h. Evaporation to dryness under high vacuum provided the deprotected material 2d7 as an off-white wax like solid (79.1 mg, 91%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 4.56 (s, 2H), 1.58 (s, 3H), 1.43-1.38 (m, 2H), 0.85-0.80 (2H).

Synthesis of P1-P1′ Fragments

Example 2E Synthesis of P1-P1′ Fragment (2e3)

Step 1:

To a solution of compound 2e1 (12 g, 38.29 mmol) in a mixture of THF (50 mL) and 1 N aq. NaOH (85 mL, 85.00 mmol) was added Boc anhydride (10 g, 45.95 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 4 days. The pH was periodically adjusted to 9 by adding more NaOH. The THF was then removed in vacuo and the aqueous layer was washed with ether (3×150 mL) and then cooled to 0° C. for the slow addition of 1 N aq. HCl until pH 3-4 was obtained. The aqueous layer was then extracted with EtOAc (3×150 mL) and the combined organic extracts were successively washed with water (3×100 mL) and brine. After drying over MgSO₄, filtration and concentration, 5.16 g of the desired Boc-protected intermediate 2e2 was isolated.

Step 2:

To a solution of acid 2e2 (567 mg, 2.49 mmol), in THF (20 mL), was added CDI (515 mg, 3.17 mmol). The resulting solution was stirred for 30 min, refluxed for 30 min and allowed to cool down to RT. Cyclopropylsulfonamide 2d4 (455 mg, 3.76 mmol) was added followed by the addition of DBU (0.75 mL, 5.02 mmol) and the reaction was stirred 12 h. The THF was removed in vacuo and the residue was diluted with EtOAc, washed with 1 M HCl (2×100 mL) and brine, dried (MgSO4) and purified by flash chromatography (elution conditions: 70:30 hexane/EtOAc) to afford 682 mg (82%) of compound 2e3 as a white solid.

Synthesis of Capping Groups

Example 3A Synthesis of Capping Group 3a3

Step 1:

An aqueous solution of the dicyclohexylamine salt of compound 3a1 (0.5 g, 1.12 mmol) was adjusted to pH 2 by addition of 1M HCl and the resulting aqueous phase was extracted twice with EtOAc. The EtOAc phase was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated) to give 290 mg (1.10 mmol, 98%) of the free acid. The free acid was dissolved in 4M HCl/dioxane (5 mL) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The solvent was evaporated and the residue 3a2 was dried under vacuum and used as is in the next step.

Step 2:

The amino acid salt 3a2 (1.10 mmol), in an 0.5M aqueous solution of H₂SO₄ (4.5 mL), was cooled to 0° C. and a solution of NaNO₂ (459 mg, 6.6 mmol, 6 equiv./1.5 mL H₂O) was added slowly over a period of 3 hours. The ice bath was removed and the resulting solution was stirred overnight at room temperature. The reaction mixture was extracted twice with EtOAc, dried (MgSO₄), and evaporated to give the crude product 3a3 as a yellow oil (160 mg, 0.97 mmol, 88%).

Example 3B Synthesis of Capping Group 3b4

Step 1:

A solution of ethyl cyanoacetate (17.7 mL, 166.3 mmol), cyclohexanone (20.7 mL, 199.7 mmol, 1.2 equiv.), ammonium acetate (1.28 g, 16.6 mmol, 0.1 equiv.) and acetic acid (2 g, 33.3 mmol, 0.2 equiv.) in benzene (17 mL) was heated under reflux for a period of 4 hours, with removal of water by means of a Dean-Stark trap. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was diluted with EtOAc, and washed with aqueous NaHCO₃. The aqueous phase was extracted 3 times with EtOAc, the organic phases were combined and dried (MgSO₄), and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (eluant: 95:5 Hexanes/EtOAc) to give 25.7 g (133.2 mmol, 80%) of the desired compound 3b1.

Step 2:

To a solution of MeMgBr (3.0 N in ether; 40 mL, 120.0 mmol, 5.0 equiv.) was added dropwise a solution of compound 3b1 (4.6 g, 23.8 mmol) in 15 mL of anhydrous ether. The resulting grey solution was stirred 3 hours at room temperature, then poured onto ice. The aqueous phase was acidified with HCl (10 N) before extraction 3 times with ether. The combined organic phases were dried (MgSO₄) and the solvent evaporated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (eluant: 95:5 Hexanes/EtOAc) to provide 4.1 g (19.6 mmol, 80%) of compound 3b2.

Step 3:

A solution of compound 3b2 (1 g, 5.0 mmol) in 10 mL of a mixture of KOH (3 g) and ethylene glycol (10 mL), was heated at reflux (˜180-190° C.) for 10 hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with water and extracted twice with ether. The aqueous phase was acidified by addition of HCl (10%) and extracted with 3 portions of EtOAc. The combined organic phase was dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The crude material was heated to 150° C. for 1.5 h, then was diluted with NaOH (1M) and extracted twice with ether. The aqueous phase was acidified by addition of HCl (1M) and extracted with 3 portions of EtOAc, dried (MgSO₄), and concentrated to give 0.56 g (3.6 mmol, 71%) of the crude material 3b3.

Step 4:

A solution of dry diisopropylamine (0.4 mL, 2.85 mmol, 2.23 equiv.) in dry THF (5 mL) was cooled to 0° C. and BuLi (0.8 M in hexanes; 3.5 mL, 2.80 mmol, 2.18 equiv.) was added dropwise. After 30 minutes, the solution was cooled to −30° C. and a mixture of the acid 3b3 (200 mg, 1.28 mmol, 1 equiv.) and dry HMPA (0.23 mL, 1.32 mmol, 1.03 equiv.) in THF (2.5 mL) was added slowly. The resulting solution was heated to 50° C. for 30 minutes and cooled to room temperature. Gaseous O₂ was bubbled into the solution over 40 minutes and the reaction mixture was diluted with 1M HCl and extracted twice with EtOAc. The organic layer was dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated to afford 255 mg of the crude material 3b4.

Example 3C Synthesis of Capping Group 3c1

By following the procedure of Example 3B, but using cyclopentanone in place of cyclohexanone, compound 3c1 was obtained.

Example 3D Synthesis of Capping Group 3D5

Step 1:

A mixture of β-alanine (0.2 g), ethyl cyanoacetate (50.0 g, 47 mL, 0.44 mol), butanone (38.0 g, 47.5 mL, 0.53 mol), acetic acid (9.0 mL), and benzene (45 mL) was heated to reflux overnight through a Dean-Stark trap, then concentrated under vacuum. The residual oil was distilled under high vacuum to give 42.7 g of the desired compound 3d1.

Step 2:

To a solution of methyl magnesium bromide (3.0 M, 33 mL) was added a solution of compound 3d1 (15.0 g, 89.7 mmol) in 30 mL of anhydrous benzene with stirring. The mixture was heated to reflux for one hour, then cooled to room temperature and poured into 60 mL of ice-water. The mixture was acidified to pH 2 with 20% aqueous H₂SO₄, then extracted with benzene (3×300 mL). The organic extracts were combined, washed with water and brine, and dried over Na₂SO₄. After removal of solvents, the oily residue was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 5% ethyl acetate in hexanes to yield 10.77 g of the pure compound 3d2.

Step 3:

A solution of KOH (6.58 g, 0.117 mol) in ethylene glycol (42 mL) was added to compound 3d2 (10.76 g, 0.0587 mol). The mixture was heated to reflux for 3 hours, cooled, diluted with water (50 mL), and extracted with ether (3×80 mL). The combined ether layer was washed with brine (1×80 mL) and dried over Na₂SO₄. Evaporation of solvents gave 5.43 g of the crude nitrile 3d3 (83.2% yield), which was used directly in the next step.

Step 4:

A solution of KOH (10.3 g, 0.156 mol) in ethylene glycol (39 mL) was added to compound 3d3 (5.43 g, 0.0488 mol) and the mixture was heated at reflux for 8 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, diluted with 200 mL of water, and extracted with ether (3×80 mL). The combined extract was washed with brine and dried over Na₂SO₄. Evaporation of the solvent gave 4.75 g of the acid 3d4 (74.8% yield), which was used as is in the next step.

Step 5:

A solution of BuLi in hexane (2.5 M, 35.3 mL) was added dropwise to a solution of N,N-diisopropylamine (12.6 mL, 0.0899 mol) in anhydrous THF (70 mL) at 0° C. and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. The resulting LDA solution was cooled to −30° C. and a solution of compound 3d4 (4.75 g, 0.0365 mol) and HMPA (6.54 mL, 0.0376 mol) in 35 mL of anhydrous THF was added dropwise. The mixture was heated to 50° C. for 30 minutes, then allowed to cool to room temperature and O₂ was bubbled into the mixture for 90 minutes. The reaction was quenched by the addition of 100 mL of 1M HCl. THF was removed under vacuum and the residue was acidified to pH 1 with concentrated HCl and extracted with ether (3×80 mL). The combined extract was washed with brine and dried over Na₂SO₄. Removal of the solvent gave 5.7 g of the crude product which was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0.5-4% of MeOH in dichloromethane to give 3 g of the relatively pure product. Trituration with hexanes gave compound 3d5 as a pure white solid.

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): 4.02 (1H, s), 1.66 (1H, m), 1.41 (1H, m), 1.00 (3H, s), 0.97 (3H, s), 0.93 (3H, t).

Example 3E Synthesis of Capping Group 3E4

Following the procedure of Example 3D, steps 2 to 5, but using ethyl magnesium bromide in place of methyl magnesium bromide in step 2, compound 3e4 was obtained.

Synthesis of Dipeptides

Example 4A Synthesis of P2 Brosylate Intermediate (4a3)

To a solution of Boc-cis-Hyp-OH 4a1 (1.86 g, 7.58 mmol), 4-bromobenzene sulfonyl chloride 4a2 (3.85 g, 15.07 mmol) and DMAP (96 mg, 0.79 mmol), in 70 mL of CH₂Cl₂, was added Et₃N (3.7 mL, 26.55 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 12 h. The solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue, diluted with EtOAc, successively washed with HCl 1M (2×100 mL), NaHCO₃ sat. and brine. After the usual treatment (MgSO₄, filtration and concentration), the compound was purified by flash chromatography (elution conditions: 75:25 Hexanes/EtOAc) to give 3.0 g (85%) of white solid 4a3.

Example 4B Hydrolysis of P2 Brosylate Intermediate (4B1)

To ester 4a3 (503 mg, 1.08 mmol), in 7 mL of a mixture THF:H₂O (2.5:1), was added a solution of NaOH 1M (1.6 mL, 1.60 mmol) followed by 2 mL of MeOH. The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. The solvents were removed in vacuo. The residue, diluted with H₂O, acidified with HCl 1M and then extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). After the usual treatment (MgSO₄, filtration and concentration), 460 mg (94%) of white solid 4b1 was isolated.

Example 4C Preparation of Dipeptide (4c1)

Deprotection of 2e3:

The BocP1P1′ 2e3 (375 mg, 1.13 mmol), in 8 mL of 4M HCl/dioxane, was stirred at room temperature. After 30 minutes the solid appeared. MeOH was added until complete dissolution and the reaction was stirred for an additional 30 min. Before evaporation of the solvent, the residue was dried under vacuum to afford the amine salt as an off white solid.

Coupling Step:

To the solution of acid 4b1 (460 mg, 1.02 mmol), in 10 mL of CH₃CN, was added HATU (410 mg, 1.08 mmol) followed by of DIPEA (0.45 mL, 2.58 mmol). In another flask a solution of the amine salt (0.26 g, 1.13 mmol) in 5 mL of CH₃CN was made and to it was added DIPEA (0.45 mL, 2.58 mmol). This amine solution was added to the solution of the activated ester and the resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 14 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc, washed with HCl 1M (2×50 mL), dried (MgSO₄) and purified by flash chromatography (elution conditions: 30:70 Hexanes/EtOAc) to furnish 334 mg (49%) of the desired compound 4c1.

Example 4D Preparation of Dipeptide (4D1)

To a solution of compound 4c1 (3 g, 4.528 mmol) and the quinoline 1o2 (1.35 g, 4.528 mmol) in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP, 20 mL) was added cesium carbonate (1.66 g, 5.11 mmol). The mixture was heated to 70° C. for 8 h. The reaction mixture was cooled and poured into EtOAc and the resulting solution was washed with H₂O (2×150 mL) and brine (3×150 mL). The organic phase was dried, filtered and concentrated to afford the crude product as a yellow solid which was purified by column chromatography (2/8 hexane/EtOAc) to afford 2.26 g (69%) of the BOC-protected intermediate as a pale yellow solid. This product was dissolved in a solution of HCl in dioxane (4N; 4 mL) and the mixture was stirred for 1 h and concentrated to dryness to give compound 4d1 (2.04 g, 99%), which was used as such in the next step.

Example 4E Preparation of Acylated Dipeptide 4E2 (Compound 1013 of Table 1)

To solution of the amine 4d1 (HCl salt) (40 mg, 0.061 mmol) and DIPEA (32 μL, 0.183 mmol) in DMF (1.5 mL) was added pre-made solution of HATU (28 mg, 0.073 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL). The pH of the reaction mixture was adjusted to 8 with DIPEA. The acid 4e1 (8.3 mg, 0.061 mmol) was then added. The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 12 h, filtered over millex filter and purified by prep HPLC (YMC Combiscreen ODS-AQ, 50×20 mm ID S-5micron, 120A; 220 nm) using a linear gradient and 0.06% TFA CH₃CN/H₂O. The pure fractions were combined and lyophilized to provide the product 4e2 (compound 1013, Table 1) as the trifluoroacetate salt (11 mg, 26%). ¹H NMR(400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 10.50 (s, 1H), 9.01 (s, 1H), 7.78 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 7.27 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 7.20-7.0 (m, 5H), 6.40 (s, 1H), 5.65-5.55 (m, 1H), 5.39 (brs, 1H), 5.26 (d, J=17 Hz, 1H), 5.11 (d, J=10 Hz, 1H), 4.50 (q, J=7 Hz, 2H), 4.36 (dd, J=7.3 Hz, J=10 Hz, 1H), 3.98 (s, 1H), 3.98-3.94 (m, 1H), 3.88 (dd, J=3.3 Hz, J=12.3 Hz, 1H), 3.68 (ABq, J=15.3 Hz, 2H), 2.84-2.76 (m, 1H), 2.28-2.09 (m, 2H), 1.72 (dd, J=5 Hz, J=8 Hz, H), 1.38 (t, J=7 Hz, 3H), 1.30 (dd, J=5.0 Hz, J=9.4 Hz, 1H), 1.10-0.85 (m, 4H). EIMS: (M+H)⁺=741.0, (MH+2)⁺=743.2

Example 4F Preparation of Urea-Derivatized Dipeptide 4F1 (Compound 1027 of Table 1)

To a solution of the amine 4d1 (HCl salt) (40 mg, 0.061 mmol) and DIPEA (32 μL, 0.183 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (2 mL) was added isopropyl isocyanate (5.2 μL, 0.061 mmol). The pH was adjusted to 8 with DIPEA. The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 12 h. The residue was filtered over Millex filters and purified by prep HPLC (YMC Combiscreen ODS-AQ, 50×20 mm ID S-5micron, 120A; 220 nm) using a linear gradient and 0.06% TFA CH₃CN/H₂O. The pure fractions were combined and lyophilized to provide the product urea 4f1 (compound 1027, Table 1) as the trifluoroacetate salt (11 mg, 26%). ¹H NMR(400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 10.96 (s, 1H), 9.15 (s, 1H), 7.91 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (d, J=9 Hz, 1 Hz, 1H), 6.40 (s, 1H), 6.28 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 5.7-5.6 (m, 1H), 5.41 (brs, 1H), 5.30 (d, J=17 Hz, 1H), 5.11 (d, J=10 Hz, 1H), 4.51 (q, J=7 Hz, 2H), 4.27 (dd, J=7 Hz, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 3.96 (s, 3H), 3.83-3.95 (m, 1H), 3.75 (dd, J=4.1, J=12 Hz, 1H), 3.65 (d, J=12 Hz, 1H), 2.94-2.85 (m, 1H), 2.43-2.35 (m, 1H), 2.24-2.11 (m, 2H), 1.72 (dd, J=5 Hz, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 1.39 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H), 1.32 (dd, J=5 Hz, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 1.12-0.9 (m, 4H), 1.03 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 3H), 0.97 (d, J=6.4, 3H). EIMS: (M+H)⁺=708.0, (MH+2)⁺=710.2.

Example 4G Preparation of Sulfonamide-Derivatized Dipeptide 4g1 (Compound 1030 of Table 1)

To a solution of the amine 4d1 (HCl salt) (40 mg, 0.061 mmol) and DIPEA (32 μL, 0.183 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (2 mL) was added ethanesulfonyl chloride (5.8 μL, 0.061 mmol). The pH was adjusted to 8 with DIPEA. The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 12 h. The residue was filtered over Millex filters and purified by prep HPLC (YMC Combiscreen ODS-AQ, 50×20 mm ID S-5micron, 120A; 220 nm) using a linear gradient and 0.06% TFA CH₃CN/H₂O. The pure fractions were combined and lyophilized to provide the product 4g1 (compound 1030) as the trifluoroacetate salt (10 mg, 23%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 10.87 (s, 1H), 8.61 (s, 1H), 8.02 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 6.49 (s, 1H), 5.33 (brs, 1H), 5.30 (d, J=16 Hz, 1H), 5.11 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 4.55-4.42 (m, 3H), 3.97 (s, 3H), 3.89-3.76 (m, 2H), 3.33-3.16 (m, 1H), 3.05-2.95 (m, 1H), 2.95-2.85 (m, 1H), 2.60-2.70 (m, 1H), 2.37-2.15 (m, 2H), 1.76 (dd, J=5.2, J=7.6, 1H), 1.39 (t, J=7 Hz, 3H), 1.26 (dd, J=5.2, J=9.4, 1H), 1.16 (t, J=7.4, 3H), 1.1-0.95 (m, 4H).

EIMS: (M+H)⁺=715.2, (MH+2)⁺=717.2

Example 4H Preparation of Carbamate-Derivatized Dipeptide 4h1 (Compound 1023 of Table 1)

To a solution of the amine 4d1(HCl salt) (40 mg, 0.061 mmol) and DIPEA (32 μL, 0.183 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (2 mL) was added isopropylchloroformate (1M soln in THF, 61 μL, 0.061 mmol). The pH was adjusted to 8 with DIPEA. The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 12 h. The residue was filtered over Millex filters and purified by prep. HPLC (YMC Combiscreen ODS-AQ, 50×20 mm ID S-5micron, 120A; 220 nm) using a linear gradient and 0.06% TFA CH₃CN/H₂O. The pure fractions were combined and lyophilized to provide the product 4h1 (compound 1023) as the trifluoroacetate salt (18.5 mg, 43%). ¹H NMR(400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 11.20, 10.45 (2s, 1H), 9.10, 8.37 (2s, 1H), 7.90 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 7.30 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 6.51, 6.47 (2s, 1H), 5.66-5.40 (m, 1H), 5.36 (brs, 1H), 5.27 (d, J=17 Hz, 1H), 5.11 (d, J=10 Hz, 1H), 4.85-4.67 (m, 1H), 4.50 (q, J=7 Hz, 2H), 4.32-4.23 (m, 1H), 3.96 (s, 3H), 3.89-3.67 (m, 2H), 2.96-2.86 (m, 1H), 2.33-2.15 (m, 2H), 1.82-1.70 (m, 1H), 1.39 (t, J=7 Hz, 3H), 1.34-1.29 (m, 1H), 1.18 (d, J=6 Hz, 3H), 1.11 (d, J=6 Hz, 3H), 1.18-0.93 (m, 5H). EIMS: (M+H)⁺=709.2, (MH+2)⁺=711.2.

Example 4I Preparation of Acyl-Derivatized Dipeptide 4i3 (Compound 1038 of Table 1)

To a solution of the (S)-2-hydroxy-3,3-dimethylbutyric acid 4i1 (11 mg, 0.083 mmol), the amine 4i2 prepared by analogous methods to those described in Examples 4A-D (36 mg, 0.065 mmol) and DIPEA (0.072 mL, 0.41 mmol), in 0.75 mL of DMF, was added a solution of DIC (0.015 mL, 0.096 mmol) HOAt (13 mg, 0.096 mmol) in 0.75 mL of DMF. The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature 12 h. The reaction mixture, diluted with AcOH, was purified by preparatory HPLC (YMC Combiscreen ODS-AQ, 50×20 mm ID S-5 micron, 120A; 220 nm) using a linear gradient and 0.06% TFA CH₃CN/H₂O. The pure fractions were combined, concentrated and lyophilized to provide the product 4i3 (compound 1038, Table 1) as the trifluoroacetate salt (30 mg, 68%). ¹H NMR(400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 10.53 (s, 1H), 8.98 (s, 1H), 7.75 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 7.19 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 6.36 (s, 1H), 5.68-5.56 (m, 1H), 5.38 (brs, 1H), 5.24 (d, J=17 Hz, 1H), 5.09 (d, J=10 Hz, 1H), 4.51-4.39 (m, 4H), 4.30-4.18 (m, 4H), 3.59-3.57 (m, 6H), 2.94-2.86 (m, 1H), 2.44-2.39 (m, 4H), 2.19-2.07 (m, 2H), 1.73-1.68 (m, 1H), 1.40-1.31 (m, 4H), 1.11-0.98 (m, 4H), 0.87 (s, 9H). EIMS: (M+H)=673.3, (M−H)=671.3

Example 4J Preparation of Acyl-Derivatized Dipeptide 4j1 (Compound 1039 of Table 1)

To a solution of the S-2-hydroxy-3,3-dimethylbutyric acid 4i1 (9 mg, 0.066 mmol), the amine 4d1 (33 mg, 0.053 mmol) and DIPEA (0.046 mL, 0.265 mmol), in 0.75 mL of DMF, was added a solution of DIC (0.012 mL, 0.074 mmol) HOAt (11 mg, 0.074 mmol) in 0.75 mL of DMF. The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature 12 h. The reaction mixture, diluted with ACOH, was purified by prep HPLC (YMC Combiscreen ODS-AQ, 50×20 mm ID S-5micron, 120A; 220 nm) using a linear gradient and 0.06% TFA CH₃CN/H₂O. The pure fractions were combined, concentrated and lyophilized to provide the product 4j1 (Compound 1039) as the trifluoroacetate salt (10.2 mg, 26%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 10.53 (s, 1H), 8.96 (s, 1H), 7.89 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 7.30 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 6.48 (s, 1H), 5.70-5.55 (m, 1H), 5.41 (brs, 1H), 5.25 (d, J=17 Hz, 1H), 5.10 (d, J=10 Hz, 1H), 4.51 (q, J=7 Hz, 2H), 4.41 (dd, J=7 Hz, J=10 Hz , 1H), 4.25 (d, J=13 Hz, 1H), 4.05-3.80 (m, 5H), 2.95-2.80 (m, 1H), 2.55-2.49 (m, 2H, under the DMSO-d6 peak), 2.20-2.05 (m, 2H), 1.71 (dd, J=5.5 Hz, J=8 Hz, 1H), 1.45-1.30 (m, 4H), 1.15-0.95 (m, 4H), 0.86 (s, 9H). EIMS: (M+H)⁺=737, (MH+2)⁺=739.

Example 4K Preparation of Dipeptide 4k2

To the Boc protected amine 4c1 (900 mg, 1.36 mmol) was added a 4N HCL/dioxane solution (25 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hours then concentrated to dryness to afford the amine 4k1 (775 mg, 95%). To a solution of the amine 4k1 (HCl salt, 775 mg, 1.30 mmol) and DIPEA (0.68 mL, 3.90 mmol) in DMF (6 mL) was added HATU (590.5 mg, 1.55 mmol) followed by 3,3-dimethylbutyric acid (173.2 μl, 1.36 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at r.t. for 12 h. The reaction was diluted with EtOAc (50 mL), the organic phase was washed with citric acid (2×) and brine (2×); then dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (silica gel 40-60 g) 2:8 Hex:EtOAc) to give product 4k2 (508 mg, 60%) as a white foam.

Example 4L Preparation of Acyl-Derivatized Dipeptide, Compound 1042 of Table 1

To a solution of the brosylate 4k2 (30 mg, 0.045 mmol) in 1 mL of DMSO, was added cesium carbonate (18 mg, 0.054 mmol), followed by a solution of the quinoline 1t3 (9 mg, 0.047 mmol) in 1 mL of DMSO. The resulting solution was stirred at 70° C. for 8 h. The reaction mixture was cooled down to room temperature, filtered over Millex filter and purified by prep HPLC (YMC Combiscreen ODS-AQ, 50×20 mm ID S-5micron, 120A; 220 nm) using a linear gradient and 0.06% TFA CH₃CN/H₂O. The pure fractions were combined, concentrated and lyophilized to provide the product Compound 1042 as the trifluoroacetate salt (4.6 mg, 13%). ¹H NMR(400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 10.47 (s, 1H), 9.06 (s, 1H), 8.74 (d, J=4 Hz, 1H), 7.78 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.60-7.35 (m, 2H), 7.16 (d, J=4.5 Hz, 1H), 5.70-5.55 (m, 1H), 5.48 (brs, 1H), 5.95 (d, J=10 Hz, 1H), 5.25 (d, J=17 Hz, 1H), 4.65-4.50 (m, 1H), 4.45-4.30 (m, 1H), 4.15-3.90 (m, 3H), 2.95-2.85 (m, 2H), 2.35-2.05 (m, 5H), 1.75-1.65 (m, 1H), 2.40-2.30 (m, 2H), 1.15-0.85 (m, 16H). EIMS: (M+)=615.1.

Example 4M Preparation of Dipeptide 4m4

Step 1:

The purified compound 4m1 (prepared as described in WO 03/064456) (2.15 g, 4.27 mmol) was dissolved in THF (57 mL) and water (9 mL) and cooled to 0° C. (ice bath). Solid LiOH (monohydrate) (224 mg, 5.34 mmol, 1.3 eq) was dissolved in water (9 mL) and added to the cooled solution over ca. 10 minutes with rapid stirring. The reaction was stirred for 2 hours (0C) until the starting material had been completely consumed by HPLC analysis. The excess base was neutralized with 0.5N HCl to give a final pH of ˜6. The THF was evaporated off and the residue dissolved in EtOAc and washed 3× with sat. NaHCO₃ (aq), followed by saturated brine (1×). The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to dryness to give a white foamy solid (1.35 g). Purification by flash chromatography (column diameter: 50 mm) with regular mesh silica gel (150 mL) to a height of about 13 cm. The initial eluent was Hexane/EtOAc (2:8), then neat EtOAc to obtain the desired product 4m2 as a white foamy solid (1.25 g, 83% yield). HPLC homogeneity was 97%. MS: 353.1 (M−H)− and 377.1 (M+Na)+, and NMR was consistent with the desired compound.

Step 2:

The purified dipeptide 4m2 (1.25 g, 3.53 mmol) was dissolved in methylene chloride (48 mL) with 4-bromobenzene sulfonyl chloride (1.89 g, 7.41 mmol, 2.1 equiv.). To this solution was added triethylamine (1.74 mL, 12.5 mmol, 3.5 equiv.), and a catalytic amount of DMAP (43 mg, 0.35 mmol, 0.1 equiv.). The reaction was stirred at 40C for 16 hours before being diluted with EtOAc, and then washed with sat. NaHCO₃ (aq) (2×), water (2×), and sat. brine (1×). The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to give a beige-orangy foam (2.3 g crude wt). This material was purified by flash chromatography (50 mm column diameter) using regular silica gel (˜250 mL) to a height of about 18 cm. The eluent was 1:1 Hexane/EtOAc which provided 1.68 g of an off-white foamy solid 4m3 (83%). HPLC analysis gave>99% homogeneity, MS: 571.1 and 573 (es− mode) and 573.1 and 575 (in es+ mode). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ7.77 (d, 2H), 7.70 (d, 2H), 5.83-5.71 (m, 1H), 5.28 (d, 1H), 5.15 (d, 1H), 5.07 (bs, 1H), 4.31 (bd, 1H), 3.77-3.63 (m, 2H), (3.69 (s, 3H), 2.49 (bs, 1H), 2.11-2.02 (m, 1H), 1.87-1.80 (m, 1H), 1.49 (d, 2H), 1.45 (s, 9H).

Step 3:

To a solution of the brosylate 4m3 (105 mg; 0.15 mmol) and the hydroxyquinoline 1s4 (32.6 mg; 0.173 mmol) in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP; 3.0 mL) was added cesium carbonate (73.3 mg ; 0.225 mmol). The resulting suspension was placed into a pre-heated oil bath at a bath temperature of 70° C. and stirred for 2 hours. HPLC indicated reaction was complete. The reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc and extensively washed with water (4×; NMP is soluble in water and easily removed), saturated NaCO₃ (3×), 1N NaOH (1×; removes excess quinoline) and brine (2×). The organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated to provide the product 4m4 as a light yellow foam (93.2 mg; 96% yield). MS 649.3 (M−H)− 651.4 (M+H)+. Homogeneity by HPLC (TFA)@220 nm: 92%. This compound was purified by column chromatography using a mixture of Ethyl acetate and hexanes.

Example 4N Synthesis of Compound 1049 of Table 1

Step 1:

To the ester 4m4 (430 mg, 0.818 mmol) in methanol (1 mL), was added THF (1 mL) and NaOH 1M solution (0.818 mL, 0.818 mmol), stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated to dryness to afford 415 mg of compound 4n1 which was used as it is for the next reaction.

Step 2:

To the dipeptide 4n1 in CH₂Cl₂ (6 mL) at 0° C. was added TEA (339 μL, 2.43 mmol), followed by the addition of isobutylchloroformate (dropwise) (158 μL, 1.22 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 30 min. then at room temperature for 8 hours. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (silica gel 40-60μ) 8/2 Hex/EtOAc) to give 210 mg of 4n2 as a white foam (52%).

Step 3:

In an oven dried reaction flask was dissolved N,N-dimethylsulfamide (79 mg, 0.636 mmol) in anhydrous THF (2 mL) and cooled to a bath temperature of −15 to −20° C. To this cold solution was added a solution of LiHMDS (1M in THF) (636 μL, 0.636 mmol) in one shot. The reaction mixture was allowed to stir at the same bath temp for 5 min, then at room temperature for 20 min. Cooled reaction mixture to a bath temp of −10 to −15° C., then added drop wise the azalactone 4n2 (210 mg, 0.42 mmol) dissolved in THF (2 mL). The reaction mixture was warmed slowly to the room temperature and let it stir at that temperature for 12 h. Added few drops of AcOH, concentration to dryness. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (silica gel 40-60μ) 2/8 Hex/EtOAc) to give 147 mg of a white solid 4n3 (56%).

Step 4:

To the Boc protected amine 4n3 (147 mg, 0.238 mmol) was added a 4N HCL/dioxane solution (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours, then concentrated to dryness to provide 4n4.

Step 5:

To a solution of (S)-2-hydroxy-3,3-dimethylbutyric acid (41 mg, 0.309 mmol), the amine 4n4 (HCl salt, 128 mg, 0.247 mmol) and DIPEA (216 μL, 0.346 mmol) in DMF (5 mL), was added the solution of DIC (55 mg, 0.346 mmol)—HOAT (47 mg, 0.346 mmol) in 2.5 mL of DMF. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 12 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the residue was dissolved in acetic acid, filtered through a Millex filter and purified by prep. HPLC (YMC Combiscreen ODS-AQ, 50×20 mm ID S-5micron, 120A ; 220 nm) using a linear gradient and 0.06% TFA CH₃CN/H₂O. The pure fractions were combined, concentrated and lyophilized to provide the product compound 1049 as the trifluoroacetate salt (69 mg, 44%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) 11.02 (s, 0.2H), 10.37 (s, 0.8H), 8.95 (s, 1.8H), 8.52 (s, 0.2H), 8.11 (d, J=7 Hz, 1H), 7.70 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 7.35 (s, 1H), 5.69 (s, 1H), 5.61-5.51 (m, 1H), 5.24 (d, J=17 Hz, 1H), 5.11 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 4.50-4.46 (m, 1H), 4.35 (d, J=13 Hz, 1H), 4.03 (s, 5H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 2.77 (s, 6H), 2.52 (d, J=3 Hz, 3H), 2.26 -2.07(m, 2H), 1.73-1.70 (m, 1H), 1.29-1.27 (m, 1H), 0.86(s, 9H).

EIMS M+H=632.3, M−H=630.3.

Example 4O Synthesis of Compound 1051 of Table 1

Step 1:

A solution of the proline brosylate 4a3 (557 mg, 1.20 mmol), the quinoline 1m3 (335 mg, 1.44 mmol, 1.2 eq) and cesium carbonate (586 mg, 1.80 mmol, 1.5 eq), in 7.5 mL of NMP, was heated to 70° C. for 2 hours. The reaction mixture, diluted with EtOAc, was washed with H₂O×3, saturated sodium bicarbonate and brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated under vacuum. The crude material was purified by flash column chromatography with Hexanes:EtOAc 80:20 to provide 445 mg of the desired compound 4o1 (80% yield).

Step 2:

To the proline ester 4o1 (238 mg, 0.52 mmol), dissolved in 7 mL of a mixture of THF:H₂O (2.5:1), was added 1.3 mL of NaOH 1M (1.30 mmol, 2.5 eq). 1 mL of MeOH was subsequently added to clarified the solution, which was then stirred at RT for 2 hours. The solvents were removed in vacuo. The residue was diluted with H₂O and acidified to pH˜6 with HCl 1M. This aqueous layer was then extracted three times with EtOAc, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated under vacuum. 230 mg (99% yield) of the crude material 4o2 was recovered.

Step 3:

To the acid 4o2 (230 mg, 0.52 mmol), in 5 mL of CH₃CN, was added HATU (208 mg, 0.55 mmol, 1.06 eq). To the salt of the amine 4o3 (180 mg, 0.57 mmol, 1.11 eq), in 5 mL of CH₃CN, was added DIEA (0.45 mL, 2.58 mmol, 5.0 eq). This amine solution was added to the acid solution and the resulting reaction was allowed to react at RT overnight. The reaction mixture was concentrated to dryness. The residue, dilute with EtOAc, was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate ×2 and brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated under vacuum to provide 362 mg of the crude product 4o4 which was used as is in the next step.

Step 4:

To the dipeptide ester 4o4 (293 mg, 0.51 mmol), dissolved in 7 mL of a mixture of THF:H₂O (2.5:1), was added 2.6 mL of NaOH 1M (2.60 mmol, 5.0 eq). 2 mL of MeOH was subsequently added to clarified the solution, which was then stirred at RT for 4 hours. The solvents were removed in vacuo. The residue was diluted with H₂O and acidified to pH˜6 with HCl 1M. This aqueous layer was then extracted three times with EtOAc, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated under vacuum. 271 mg (94% yield) of 4o5 was recovered.

Step 5:

To a solution of the acid 4o5 (270 mg, 0.49 mmol), in 10 mL of CH₂Cl₂, was added 0.2 mL of Et₃N (1.43 mmol, 2.94 eq). This solution was then cooled to 0° C. before addition of isobutyl chloroformate (0.095 mL, 0.73 mmol, 1.50 eq). The ice bath was removed one hour later and stirring was continued for another 4 hours. The solvent was partially removed in vacuo. The crude material was then purified by flash column chromatography with Hexanes/EtOAc; 75:25 to provide 185 mg of the desired compound 4o6 (70% yield).

Step 6:

A solution of the sulphonamide 2d7 (15 mg, 0.111 mmol, 1.5 eq), in 1.5 mL of THF, was cooled down to −15° C. for the addition of LiHMDS 1M in THF (0.090 mL, 0.090 mmol, 1.2 eq). The resulting yellow solution was stirred 5 minutes at this temperature and 20 minutes at room temperature. The reaction was then cooled back to −15° C. and a solution of the azalactone 4o6 (40 mg, 0.074 mmol, 1 eq), in 1.5 mL of THF, was added. The resulting solution was stirred 20 minutes at −15, −10° C. then 3 hours at room temperature. The solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue, dilute with H₂O, was acidified to pH˜6 with HCl 1M. This aqueous layer was then extracted twice with EtOAc, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated under vacuum. 41 mg (81% yield) of the crude material 4o7 was isolated.

Steps 7 and 8:

Boc-deprotection of 4o7 to afford the HCl salt of 4o8, and subsequent coupling with (S)-2-hydroxy-3,3-dimethylbutyric acid was carried out following the procedure in steps 4 and 5 of Example 4N above to afford the product compound 1051. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): ca, 9:1 mixture of rotamers, major isomer description; δ 10.40 (s, 1H), 8.97 (s, 1H), 7.75 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.18 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 6.37 (s, 1H), 5.61-5.50 (m, 1H), 5.40-5.35 (m, 1H), 5.27-5.20 (m, 1H), 5.11-5.06 (m, 1H), 4.46 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 4.47-4.39 (m, 1H), 4.29-4.23 (m, 1H), 3.94-3.86 (m, 3H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 2.51-2.41 (m, 1H), 2.42 (s, 3H), 2.19-2.06 (m, 2H), 1.73-1.67 (m, 1H), 1.44-1.27 (m, 3H), 1.38 (s, 3H), 1.37 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.93-0.83 (m, 2H), 0.86 (s, 9H). M.S. (electrospray): 685.3 (M−H)− 687.3 (M+H)+. Reverse Phase HPLC Homogeneity (0.06% TFA; CH₃CN: H₂O): 98%.

Example 4P Synthesis of Compounds 1033-1037 of Table 1

Step A:

(S)-2-Hydroxy-3,3-dimethylbutanoic acid 4p1 (2.00 g, 15.1 mmol) was dissolved in methanol (4.0 mL) and acetyl chloride (109 μL, 1.5 mmol) was added. The mixture was heated 4 h at 70° C., then evaporated to dryness. The residue was extracted with EtOAc and the extract was washed with sat. NaHCO₃ (aq), dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated to dryness to give the methyl ester (1.38 g, 62.4%). The methyl ester (1.0 g, 6.84 mmol) was dissolved in dichloromethane (5.0 mL) and dihydropyran (3.12 mL, 34.2 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (130 mg, 0.684 mmol) were added. The mixture was stirred at 20° C. for 1.5 h, then was diluted with dichloromethane, washed with sat. NaHCO₃ (aq) and brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated to dryness. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (4:1 hexane/EtOAc) to give the THP-protected methyl ester (737 mg, 46.8%). The methyl ester (679 mg, 2.95 mmol) was dissolved in aqueous NaOH (1N, 3.0 mL, 3.0 mmol) and THF (4.0 μL) and the mixture was stirred overnight, and evaporated to dryness to give the THP-protected acid 4p2 (624 mg, 97.9%), which was used as is in the next step.

Step B:

Compound 4m4 (Example 4M) (841 mg, 1.60 mmol) was dissolved in HCl/dioxane (4M, 15.0 mL) and stirred for 1 h at room temperature. The mixture was evaporated to dryness and the residue was dissolved in DMF (6.0 mL). To this mixture was added DIPEA (1.105 mL, 6.34 mmol), acid 4p2 (509 mg, 2.36 mmol), and HATU (912 mg, 2.40 mmol) and the mixture was stirred overnight at RT. The mixture was evaporated to dryness and the residue was dissolved in EtOAc, The solution was washed with sat. NaHCO₃ (aq), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to dryness to give the crude coupled product methyl ester which was purified by flash chromatography (EtOAc/MeOH/TEA, 97:3:1) to give the purified product (563 mg). This product was allowed to react with aqueous NaOH (1N, 923 μL, 0.923 mmol) in a mixture of MeOH and THF for 18 h at RT, then the mixture was evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in a mixture of water and EtOAc, and the mixture was acidified to pH 4 by addition of KHSO₃. The EtOAc extract was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated to dryness to give the product 4p3 (291 mg, 26.4%).

Step C:

Note: the reaction was performed on a solid phase synthesizer (Advanced Chemtech ACT 396), using the 96-wells block. A series of 8-mL vials were disposed in a reaction block. In each vial was successively added the acid 4p3 (18.3 mg, 0.03 mmole), DMF (1 mL), HATU (0.036 mmol, 13.7 mg) and DIPEA (0.15 mmol, 26 μL). All reactions mixtures were allowed to react 1 h. An HPLC of each activated ester was recorded. In each vial was added the R⁴-sulfonamide (R⁴—SO₂—NH₂) (0.06 mmol) and DMAP (0.06 mmol, 7.3 mg). After shaking for 3 h, DBU (0.06 mmol, 9 μL) was added to each vial.

All the vials were treated with 1N aq. HCl (200 μL) and AcOH (400 μL) for 18 h. All compounds were purified by semi-prep reversed-phase HPLC (Symmetry column 5 cm×19 cm, CH₃CN/H₂O 0.06% TFA gradient).

Example 4Q Synthesis of Compound 1032 of Table 1

Step A:

To the α-bromoketone 4q1 (prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,642,204; compound 18) (75 mg, 0.119 mmol) was added the thiourea 4q2 (prepared as described in International Patent Application WO 03/064416) (25 mg, 0.134 mmol) in 3 mL of isopropanol. The mixture was heated at 75° C. for 75 min. The reaction was concentrated to dryness and then extracted into EtOAc and washed with NaHCO₃ (aq) (2×) followed by saturated brine. The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to give the desired product 4q3 as a solid (82 mg, 96%) which was used as is in the next step.

Step B:

The aminothiazolyl intermediate 4q3 (82 mg, 0.114 mmol) was first Boc deprotected with 4N HCl/dioxane (3 mL) at RT for 1.5 h. The mixture was concentrated to dryness and placed under vacuum to furnish the HCl salt. This was used directly in the coupling step. The HCl salt (74 mg, 0.113) was combined with (S)-2-hydroxy-3,3-dimethylbutyric acid (30 mg, 0.227 mmol) in DMF (1 mL). To this solution was added DIPEA (0.10 mL, 0.57 mmol) followed by a solution of 1,3-diisopropylcarbodiimide (0.036 mL, 0.234 mmol) and 1-hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole (HOAt, 31 mg, 0.228 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL). The reaction was allowed to stir 16 h at RT before the methyl ester was hydrolyzed in situ with the addition of LiOH (76 mg, 1.81 mmol) in H₂O (and MeOH (0.25 mL). The mixture was stirred 16 h before being quenched with AcOH (0.2 mL). The entire mixture was purified by preparative HPLC to afford after lyophilization the desired terminal acid 4q4 as a white solid (26 mg, 32%). MS: (M+H)⁺; 720.3 and (M−H)⁻; 718.3. Analytical HPLC Purity (99%). ¹H NMR of major rotamer 4:1 ratio (DMSO-d₆, 400 MHz) δ 12.4 (s, 1H), 8.60 (s, 1H), 8.25 (bs, 1H), 8.01 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 7.58 (bs, 1H), 7.49 (bs, 1H), 7.29 (bs, 1H), 5.73 (dt, J=18, 10 Hz, 1H), 5.54 (bs, 1H), 5.20 (dd, J=18, 1 Hz, 1H), 5.07 (dd, J=12, 1 Hz, 1H), 4.50 (dd, J=7, 7 Hz, 1H), 4.30 (bd, J=12 Hz, 1H), 3.95 (s, 3H), 3.95-3.80 (m, 2H), 2.35-2.21 (m, 2H), 2.08 (s, 2H), 2.07-1.95 (m, 1H), 1.82-1.71 (m, 2H), 1.66-1.48 (m, 5H), 1.33-1.27 (m, 1H), 1.25-1.15 (m, 4H), 0.99 (s, 9H).

Step C:

To the terminal acid 4q4 (7.5 mg, 0.01 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (2 mL) was added HATU (4.56 mmol) and DIPEA (8.7 μL, 0.05 mmol). After 60 min, benzenesulfonamide 4q5 (6.3 mg, 0.04 mmol) was added with DBU (6 μL, 0.04 mmol) and DMAP (5.5 mg, 0.045 mmol). The reaction was stirred 16 h at RT. The mixture was concentrated to dryness and purified by preparative HPLC to afford after lyophilization the desired product (compound 1032) as a white solid, 0.57 mg (7%). Homogeneity by analytical HPLC=100% (t_(R)=6.58 min). MS: (M+H)⁺; 859.4 and (M−H)⁻; 857.4.

Example 4R Synthesis of Compound 1090 of Table 1

Using the procedure of Example 4O, but using quinoline 1o2 instead of quinoline 1m3 in Step 1, compound 1090 was obtained.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): ca, 90:10 mixture of rotamers, major isomer description; δ 10.41 (s, 1H), 8.96 (s, 1H), 7.89 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 6.49 (s, 1H), 5.62-5.51 (m, 1H), 5.44-5.39 (m, 1H), 5.28-5.21 (m, 1H), 5.13-5.08 (m, 1H), 4.52 (q, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 4.47-4.41 (m, 1H), 4.31-4.26 (m, 1H), 3.97 (s, 3H), 3.98-3.88 (m, 2H), 2.50-2.44 (m, 1H), 2.20-2.08 (m, 2H), 1.74-1.69 (m, 1H), 1.40 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 3H), 1.39 (s, 3H), 1.45-1.28 (m, 3H), 0.95-0.84 (m, 2H), 0.86 (s, 9H).

M.S. (electrospray): 749.1 (M−H)− 751.1 (M−H)− 751.2 (M+H)+ 753.2 (M+H)+.

Reverse Phase HPLC Homogeneity (0.06% TFA; CH₃CN: H₂O): 97%

Example 4S Synthesis of Compound 1100 of Table 1

A mixture of compound 4o7 (Example 4O) (35 mg, 0.052 mmol) and 2 mL of 4M HCl/dioxane, was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The solvent was evaporated and the residue was dried under vacuum. To a solution of the acid 3a3 (11.7 mg, 0.071 mmol, 1.4 equiv.), the amine (0.052 mmol) and DIEA (0.050 mL, 0.29 mmol, 5.5 equiv.) in 0.5 mL of DMF was added a solution of DIC-HOAt (0.013 mL, 0.080 mmol, 1.5 equiv.—11.6 mg, 0.085 mmol, 1.6 equiv.) in 0.5 mL of DMF. The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature overnight, then diluted with AcOH and purified by preparatory HPLC (YMC Combiscreen ODS-AQ, 50×20 mm ID S-5micron, 120A; 220 nm) using a linear gradient and 0.06% TFA CH₃CN/H₂O. The pure fractions were combined, concentrated and lyophilized to provide the product (compound 1100) as the TF salt (12 mg, 32%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): ca, 70:30 mixture of isomers (epimers at the capping group), major isomer description; δ 10.23 (s, 1H), 8.93 (s, 1H), 7.76 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.21 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 6.38 (s, 1H), 5.68-5.56 (m, 1H), 5.48-5.44 (m, 1H), 5.29-5.22 (m, 1H), 5.13-5.08 (m, 1H), 4.47 (q, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 4.44-4.38 (m, 1H), 4.21-4.16 (m, 1H), 4.03-3.97 (m, 1H), 3.90 (s, 3H), 3.92-3.88 (m, 1H), 2.56-2.47 (m, under DMSO, 1H), 2.44 (s, 3H), 2.24-2.14 (m, 2H), 1.95 (s, 3H), 1.74-1.69 (m, 1H), 1.40 (s, 3H), 1.38 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.47-1.30 (m, 3H), 1.24 (s, 3H), 1.22 (s, 3H), 0.97-0.87 (m, 2H).

M.S. (electrospray): 717.3 (M−H)− 719.3 (M+H)+. Reverse Phase HPLC Homogeneity (0.06% TFA; CH₃CN: H₂O): 99%

Example 4T Synthesis of Compound 1057 from Table 1

To a solution of the acid 3b4 (9 mg, 0.052 mmol, 1.4 equiv.), the amine 4i2 (0.038 mmol) and DIEA (0.030 mL, 0.17 mmol, 4.5 equiv.), in 0.5 mL of DMF, was added a solution of DIC-HOAt (0.009 mL, 0.057 mmol, 1.5 equiv.—8 mg, 0.059 mmol, 1.55 equiv.) in 0.5 mL of DMF. The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture was diluted with AcOH and purified by preparatory HPLC (YMC Combiscreen ODS-AQ, 50×20 mm ID S-5micron, 120A; 220 nm) using a linear gradient and 0.06% TFA CH₃CN/H₂O. The pure fractions were combined, concentrated and lyophilized to provide the product compound 1057 as the TF salt. The fastest eluting compound (7 mg, 26%) showed the following NMR.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): ca, 95:5 mixture of rotamers, major isomer description; δ 10.52 (s, 1H), 8.99 (s, 1H), 7.74 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.17 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 6.37 (s, 1H), 5.67-5.56 (m, 1H), 5.39-5.35 (m, 1H), 5.27-5.21 (m, 1H), 5.12-5.07 (m, 1H), 4.46 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 4.43-4.38 (m, 1H), 4.30-4.24 (m, 1H), 3.93-3.86 (m, 2H), 3.88 (s, 3H), 2.93-2.85 (m, 1H), 2.54-2.44 (m, under DMSO, 1H), 2.42 (s, 3H), 2.19-2.06 (m, 2H), 1.75-1.69 (m, 1H), 1.37 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H), 1.44-1.13 (m, 10H), 1.12-0.98 (m, 5H), 0.80 (s, 3H).

M.S. (electrospray): 711.3 (M−H)− 713.4 (M+H)+. Reverse Phase HPLC Homogeneity (0.06% TFA; CH₃CN: H₂O): 98%

Example 4U Synthesis of Compound 1078 of Table 1

To a solution of 2,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypropionic acid (1.25 eq, 7.21 mg), amine 4d1 (1 eq, 40 mg) and DIPEA (5 eq, 53 μL) in DMF (1 mL), was added the solution of DIC-HOAT (1.4 eq each, 13.3 μL and 11.6 mg respectively) in DMF (1 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 12 h, then was filtered through Millex filter and purified by preparative HPLC (Combiprep ODS-AQ, 20×50 mm) to afford after lyophilization compound 1078 as a white amorphous solid (14.5 mg, 37%). Reverse Phase HPLC Homogeneity (0.06% TFA; CH₃CN: H₂O): 96% ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 MHz): 10.49 (s, 1H); 8.77 (s, 1H); 7.89 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H); 7.31 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H); 6.53 (s, 1H); 5.64-5.55 (m, 1H); 5.44 (broad s, 1H); 5.27 (d, J=17 Hz, 1H); 5.11 (d, J=10.4 Hz, 1H); 4.55-4.47 (m, 3H); 4.39-4.34 (m, 1H); 4.28 (d, J=12.1 Hz, 1H); 4.03-3.94 (m, 4H); 3.50 (d, J=11 Hz, 1H); 3.40 (d, J=11 Hz, 1H); 2.94-2.91 (m, 1H); 2.42-2.37 (m, 1H); 2.19-2.08 (m, 2H); 1.72 (dd, J=5.1 Hz, J=7.9 Hz, 1H); 1.40 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H); 1.27 (dd, J=5.1 Hz, J=9.4 Hz, 1H); 1.11-1.03 (m, 10H); MS: (M+H)⁺: 723; (MH+2)⁺: 725.

Example 4V Synthesis of Compound 1084 of Table 1

Using the procedure of Example 4U but using 2-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoic acid in place of 2,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypropionic acid, compound 1084 was obtained as a white amorphous solid (15.4 mg, 39%). Reverse Phase HPLC Homogeneity (0.06% TFA; CH₃CN: H₂O): 97%; ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 MHz): δ 10.54 (s, 1H); 9.09 (s, 1H); 7.91 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H); 7.30 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H); 6.49 (s, 1H); 5.69-5.60 (m, 1H); 5.44 (broad s, 1H); 5.26 (d, J=17 Hz, 1H); 5.12 (d, J=10.4 Hz, 1H); 4.51 (q, J=6.9 Hz, 3H); 4.41 (dd, J=6.8 Hz, J=10.5 Hz, 2H); 4.18 (d, J=12.6 Hz, 1H); 3.97 (s, 3H); 3.94-3.91 (m, 2H); 2.93-2.89 (m, 1H); 2.19-2.13 (m, 2H); 1.95-1.90 (m, 1H); 1.73 (dd, J=5.2 Hz, J=8 Hz, 1H); 1.40 (t, J=7 Hz, 3H); 1.34 (dd, J=5 Hz, J=9.4 Hz, 1H); 1.11-1.03 (m, 4H); 0.84 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 3H); 0.78 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 3H).

MS: (M+H)⁺: 723; (MH+2)⁺: 725.

Example 4W Synthesis of Compound 1105 of Table 1

Step 1:

Compound 4w1 was synthesized from compound 4o6 using the procedures described in Example 4N, steps 3 and 4, but using N-methoxy-N-methylsulfamide instead of N,N-dimethylsulfamide.

Step 2:

To a solution of S-2-hydroxy-3,3-dimethylbutyric acid (24 mg, 0.18 mmol), the amine 4w1 (90 mg, 0.147 mmol) and DIPEA (127.6 μL, 0.733 mmol), in 1 mL of DMF, was added a solution of DIC (32 μL, 0.074 mmol) HOAt (11 mg, 0.074 mmol) in 0.75 mL of DMF. The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature 12 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with AcOH and purified by prep HPLC (YMC Combiscreen ODS-AQ, 50×20 mm ID S-5micron, 120A; 220 nm) using a linear gradient and 0.06% TFA CH₃CN/H₂O. The pure fractions were combined, concentrated and lyophilized to provide compound 1105 as the trifluoroacetate salt (32 mg, 32%). Reverse Phase HPLC Homogeneity (0.06% TFA; CH₃CN: H₂O: 99%; ¹H NMR(DMSO-d₆, 400 MHz)—δ 10.78 (s, 1H), 8.94 (s, 1H), 7.75 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 7.19 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 6.38 (s, 1H), 5.61-5.52 (m, 1H), 5.39 (bs, 1H), 5.25 (d, J=17 Hz, 1H), 5.12 (d, J=10 Hz, 1H), 4.49-4.41 (m, 3H), 4.26 (d, J=13 Hz, 1H), 3.95-3.85 (m, 5H), 3.65 (s, 3H), 2.94 (s, 3H), 2.40-2.55 (m, 4H), 2.20-2.10 (m, 2H), 1.72-1.69 (m, 1H), 1.38 (t, J=7 Hz, 3H), 1.35-1.31 (m, 1H), 0.87 (s, 9H); EIMS: (M+H)=692.0, (M−H)=691.0.

Example 5 NS3-NS4A Protease Assay

The enzymatic assay used to evaluate the present compounds is described in WO 00/09543 and WO 00/59929.

Example 6 Cell-Based Luciferase Reporter HCV RNA Replication Assay

Cell Culture:

Huh-7 cells with a stable subgenomic HCV replicon that encodes a modified luciferase reporter gene (expressed as a luciferase-FMDV2A-neomycin phosphotransferase fusion gene) were established as previously described (Lohman et al., 1999. Science 285: 110-113; Vroljik et al., 2003 J. Virol Methods 110:201-209.), with the exception that replicon cells were selected with 0.25 mg/mL G418. The amount of luciferase expressed by selected cells directly correlates with the level of HCV replication. These cells, designated as MP-1 cells, are maintained in Dulbecco's Modified Earle Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% FBS and 0.25 mg/mL neomycin (standard medium). The cells are passaged by trypsinization and frozen in 90% FBS/10% DMSO. During the assay, DMEM medium supplemented with 10% FBS, containing 0.5% DMSO and lacking neomycin, was used (Assay medium). The day of the assay, MP-1 cells are trypsinized and diluted to 100 000 cells/mL in assay medium. 100 μL is distributed into each well of a black 96-well ViewPlate™ (Packard). The plate is then incubated at 37° C. with 5% CO₂ for two hours. Reagents and Materials: Product Company Catalog # Storage DMEM Wisent Inc. 10013CV 4° C. DMSO Sigma D-2650 RT Dulbecco's PBS Gibco-BRL 14190-136 RT Fetal Bovine Serum Bio-Whittaker 14-901F −20° C./4° C. Geneticin (G418) Gibco-BRL 10131-027 −20° C./4° C. Trypsin-EDTA Gibco-BRL 25300-054 −20° C./4° C. ViewPlate ™-96, Packard 6005182 RT Black Backing tape, Black Packard 6005189 RT PVDF 0.22 μm Filter Millipore SLGV025LS RT Unit Deep-Well Titer Plate Beckman 267007 RT Polypropylene Preparation of Test Compound:

The test compound in 100% DMSO was first diluted in assay medium to a final DMSO concentration of 0.5%. The solution was sonicated for 15 min and filtered through a 0.22 μM Millipore Filter unit. Into column 3 of a Polypropylene Deep-Well Titer Plate, the appropriate volume is transferred into assay medium to obtain the starting concentration (2×) to be tested. In columns 2 and 4 to 12, add 200 μL of assay medium (containing 0.5% DMSO). Serial dilutions (1/2) are prepared by transferring 200 μL from column 3 to column 4, then from column 4 to column 5, serially through to column 11. Columns 2 and 12 are the no inhibition controls.

Addition of Test Compound to Cells:

A volume of 100 μL from each well of the compound dilution plate is transferred to a corresponding well of the Cell Plate (Two columns will be used as the “No inhibition control”; ten [10] columns are used for the dose response). The cell culture plate was incubated at 37° C. with 5% CO₂ for 72 hours.

Luciferase Assay:

Following the 72 h incubation period, the medium is aspirated from the 96-well assay plate and a volume of 100 μL of 1× Glo Lysis Buffer (Promega) previously warmed to room temperature was added to each well. The plate was incubated at room temperature for 10 min with occasional shaking. A black tape was put at the bottom of the plate. 100 μL of Bright-Glo luciferase substrate (Promega) previously warmed to room temperature was added to each well followed by gentle mixing. The luminescence was determined on a Packard Topcount instrument using the Data Mode Luminescence (CPS) with a count delay of 1 min and a count time of 2 sec. Product Company Catalog # Storage Glo Lysis Buffer Promega E266A   4° C. Bright-Glo Luciferase Assay Promega E2620 −20° C. System

The luminescence determination (CPS) in each well of the culture plate was a measure of the amount of HCV RNA replication in the presence of various concentrations of inhibitor. The % inhibition was calculated with the following equation: % inhibition=100−[CPS (inhibitor)/CPS (control)×100]

A non-linear curve fit with the Hill model was applied to the inhibition-concentration data, and the 50% effective concentration (EC₅₀) was calculated by the use of SAS software (Statistical Software; SAS Institute, Inc. Cary, N.C.).

The compounds of this invention are found to be active when evaluated in the preceding enzymatic and cell based assays.

Example 7 Specificity Assays

The specificity assays used to evaluate the selectivity of compounds according to this invention were performed as described in WO 00/09543 except that the assay buffer for the Elastase assay was comprised of 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 8, 0.25 M NaCitrate, 0.01% n-dodecyl β-d-maltoside, and 5.25% DMSO.

The compounds of formula (I) are found to be selective in that they do not show significant inhibition (no measurable activity at concentrations up to 30 μM) in the Human Leukocyte Elastase or Human Liver Cathepsin B assays.

Tables of Compounds

The following table lists compounds representative of the invention. Many of the compounds listed in Tables 1 and 2 were found to have IC₅₀ values below 0.5 μM in the NS3-NS4A protease assay of Example 5. In addition, many of the compounds listed in Tables 1 and 2 have EC₅₀ values below 1 μM in the cell-based luciferase reporter HCV RNA replication assay of Example 6. Retention times (t_(R)) for each compound were measured using the standard analytical HPLC conditions described in the Examples. As is well known to one skilled in the art, retention time values are sensitive to the specific measurement conditions. Therefore, even if identical conditions of solvent, flow rate, linear gradient, and the like are used, the retention time values may vary when measured, for example, on different HPLC instruments. Even when measured on the same instrument, the values may vary when measured, for example, using different individual HPLC columns, or, when measured on the same instrument and the same individual column, the values may vary, for example, between individual measurements taken on different occasions. TABLE 1

t_(R) Cpd R³ R² R⁴ (MH)⁺ (min) 1001

721.2/ 723.2 6.83 1002

665.0/ 667.1 5.52 1003

707.0/ 709.2 6.55 1004

679.0/ 681.1 5.88 1005

693.0/ 695.2 6.18 1006

707.2/ 709.2 6.50 1007

705.0/ 707.2 6.17 1008

733.1/ 735.1 6.13 1009

733.2/ 735.2 6.80 1010

747.0/ 749.2 7.00 1011

733.2/ 735.2 6.76 1012

719.2/ 721.2 6.56 1013

741.0/ 743.2 6.33 1014

755.2/ 757.2 6.38 1015

755.2/ 757.2 6.90 1016

755.2/ 757.2 6.73 1017

727.2/ 729.2 6.33 1018

767.2/ 769.2 6.59 1019

747.1/ 749.1 6.25 1020

691.2/ 693.2 5.97 1021

681.0/ 683.2 6.20 1022

695.0/ 697.2 6.20 1023

709.2/ 711.2 6.48 1024

825.1/ 827.1 7.35 1025

722.2/ 724.2 6.31 1026

694.2/ 696.2 5.68 1027

708.0/ 710.2 5.96 1028

748.2/ 750.2 6.16 1029

730.2/ 732.2 6.05 1030

715.2/ 717.2 6.22 1031

729.2/ 731.2 6.22 1032

859.4 6.58 1033

699.2 5.17 1034

665.3 4.59 1035

699.3 5.14 1036

736.4 4.79 1037

758.4 4.41 1038

673.3 4.85 1039

737.3 6.24 1040

603.1 3.96 1041

569.1 3.77 1042

615.1 4.15 1043

647.1 6.86 1044

677.1 6.28 1045

644.2 5.40 1046

659.3 6.66 1047

599.3 5.62 1048

785.1 787.1 6.40 1049

632.3 3.60 1050

656.3 3.88 1051

687.3 4.79 1052

727.4 5.82 1053

763.4 5.85 1054

749 751 5.5 1055

739 741 6.3 1056

743 745 5.2 1057

713.4 5.3 1058

699.3 5.0 1059

771.3 773.3 6.3 1060

805.2 807.2 6.3 1061

773.2 775.2 6.3 1062

781.3 783.3 6.7 1063

757.3 759.3 6.1 1064

847.2 849.2 6.6 1065

721.3 723.3 6.3 1066

721.3 723.3 3.4 1067

735.3 737.3 6.4 1068

741.3 743.3 6.2 1069

733.2 735.2 737.2 5.9 1070

825.2 827.2 829.2 6.7 1071

693.3 695.3 5.8 1072

737.3 739.3 5.9 1073

709.3 711.3 5.3 1074

763.3 765.3 6.3 1075

695.3 697.3 5.1 1076

707.3 709.3 5.2 1077

709.3 711.3 5.3 1078

723.2 725.3 5.4 1079

681.2 683.2 5.0 1080

737.3 739.3 5.9 1081

771.3 773.3 6.0 1082

761.3 763.2 4.5 1083

737.3 739.3 5.9 1084

723.3 725.3 5.6 1085

663.4 6.0 1086

659.4 3.8 1087

677.4 6.2 1088

673.4 4.0 1089

701.4 5.0 1090

753.2 5.8 1091

687.3 4.8 1092

701.3 5.1 1093

753.2 6.0 1094

767.2 6.3 1095

701.4 4.9 1096

715.4 5.2 1097

767.2 6.1 1098

781.3 6.4 1099

705.3 4.5 1100

719.3 4.6 1101

771.1 5.7 1102

785.2 5.8 1103

676 4.4 1104

700 4.7 1105

692 4.6 1106

675.0 7.0

TABLE 2

t_(R) Cpd R³ R² R⁴ (MH)⁺ (min) 2001

691.0 7.2 

1. A compound of formula (I):

wherein n is 1 or 2; m is 1 or 2; R¹ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, or (C₂₋₆)alkynyl; wherein the (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, and (C₂₋₆)alkynyl are optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with from one to three halogen atoms; R² is selected from —NH—R²⁰, —O—R²⁰, —S—R²⁰, —SO—R²⁰, —SO₂R²⁰, —OCH₂R²⁰, and —CH₂O—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ is aryl or Het, wherein the aryl and Het are optionally substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein R²⁰⁰ is one to four substituents each independently selected from H, halogen, cyano, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, aryl, Het, oxo, thioxo, —OR²⁰¹, —SR²⁰¹, —SOR²⁰¹, —SO₂R²⁰¹, —N(R²⁰²)R²⁰¹, and —CON(R²⁰²)R²⁰¹; wherein each of the alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl and Het is optionally further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰; R²⁰¹ in each case is independently selected from H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, aryl, (C₂₋₄)alkenyl, (C₂₋₄)alkynyl, —CO—(C₁₋₈)alkyl and —CO—O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, wherein each of the alkyl and aryl is optionally further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰; R²⁰² is H or (C₁₋₆)alkyl; R²⁰⁰⁰ is one to three substituents each independently selected from halogen, R²⁰⁰³, aryl, Het, —OR²⁰⁰¹, —SR²⁰⁰¹, —SOR²⁰⁰¹, —SO₂R²⁰⁰¹, cyano and —N(R²⁰⁰²)(R²⁰⁰¹), wherein the aryl and Het are each optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents each independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl and —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl; R²⁰⁰¹ in each case is independently selected from aryl, aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, —C(O)—R²⁰⁰³, —C(O)O—R²⁰⁰³, —CON(R²⁰⁰²)(R²⁰⁰⁴) and R²⁰⁰⁴; R²⁰⁰² in each case is independently selected from H and (C₁₋₈)alkyl; R²⁰⁰³ in each case is independently selected from (C₁₋₈)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl and (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, wherein the (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl and (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl- are each optionally substituted with one to three substituents each independently selected from (C₁₋₃)alkyl; and R²⁰⁰⁴ in each case is independently selected from H and R²⁰⁰³; R³ is selected from: (i) —C(O)OR³¹ wherein R³¹ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl or aryl, wherein the (C₁₋₆)alkyl is optionally substituted with one to three halogen substituents; (ii) —C(O)NR³²R³³, wherein R³² and R³³ are each independently selected from H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, and Het; (iii) —SO_(v)R³⁴ wherein v is 1 or 2 and R³⁴ is selected from: (C₁₋₆)alkyl, aryl, Het, and NR³²R³³ wherein R³² and R³³ are as defined above; and (iv) —C(O)—R³⁵, wherein R³⁵ is selected from (C₁₋₈)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, aryl, aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, Het and Het-(C₁₋₆)alkyl, each of which are optionally substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from halo, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, aryl, Het, hydroxyl, —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —S—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —SO—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —SO₂—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —O-aryl, —S-aryl, —SO-aryl and —SO₂-aryl, wherein the aryl portion of the —O-aryl, —S-aryl, —SO-aryl and —SO₂-aryl are each optionally substituted with one to five halo substituents; R⁴ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, aryl, Het, aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, or Het-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-; a) the (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, aryl, Het, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, and Het-(C₁₋₄)alkyl- optionally being substituted with one, two or three substituents each independently selected from halogen, nitro, hydroxy, cyano, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, O-aryl, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl and —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, wherein the (C₁₋₆)alkyl and O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl are optionally substituted with one to three halogen substituents; and b) the (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl being optionally substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from nitro, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₂₋₄)alkenyl, —OCF₃, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, tri(C₁₋₆)alkylsilyl, R⁴¹, —C(═O)−R⁴¹, —C(═O)OR⁴¹, —C(═O)N(R⁴²)R⁴¹, —SO₂R⁴¹, and —OC(═O)—R⁴¹; wherein R⁴¹ in each case is independently selected from: i) H, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₄₋₇)cycloalkenyl, Het, or aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-O—; ii) aryl or aryloxy, each of which being optionally substituted with (C₁₋₆)alkyl; and iii) (C₁₋₈)alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxy, halogen, (C₂₋₁₀)alkenyl, (C₂₋₁₀)alkynyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₄₋₇)cycloalkenyl, aryl, Het, aryloxy, and aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-O—, wherein each of the aryl and aryloxy is optionally substituted with (C₁₋₆)alkyl; and R⁴² is selected from H and (C₁₋₆)alkyl; or R⁴ is —N(R^(N2))(R^(N1)), wherein R^(N1) and R^(N2) are each independently selected from H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, aryl and aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-; wherein the (C₁₋₆)alkyl, —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, aryl and aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl- are each optionally substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from halogen, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxy, cyano, O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —COOH, and —COO(C₁₋₆)alkyl; or R^(N2) and R^(N1) are linked, together with the nitrogen to which they are bonded, to form a 3- to 7-membered monocyclic saturated or unsaturated heterocycle optionally fused to at least one other cycle to form a heteropolycycle, the heterocycle and heteropolycycle each optionally containing from one to three further heteroatoms each independently selected from N, S and O, and being optionally substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from halogen, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxy, cyano, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —COOH, and —COO(C₁₋₆)alkyl; wherein Het as used herein is defined as a 3- to 7-membered heterocycle having 1 to 4 heteroatoms each independently selected from O, N and S, which may be saturated, unsaturated or aromatic, and which is optionally fused to at least one other cycle to form a 4- to 14-membered heteropolycycle having wherever possible 1 to 5 heteroatoms, each independently selected from O, N and S, the heteropolycycle being saturated, unsaturated or aromatic; with the proviso that when n is 1; m is 2; R¹ is ethyl or ethenyl; and R² is —O—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ is Het, wherein the Het is selected from:

and wherein the Het is optionally substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein R²⁰⁰ is one or two substituents each independently selected from methyl, methoxy, chloro, fluoro, hydroxy, phenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-(dimethylamino)phenyl, 4-cyanophenyl, and a group selected from:

and R⁴ is cyclopropyl optionally substituted with propyl, cyclopropylmethyl or phenylmethyl; and R³ is —COOR³¹; then R³¹ is not 1,1-dimethylethyl; or a racemate, diastereoisomer, or optical isomer thereof, or a salt thereof.
 2. The compound according to claim 1 wherein m is
 2. 3. The compound according to claim 1 wherein m is
 1. 4. The compound according to claim 1 wherein n is
 1. 5. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R¹ is (C₂₋₆)alkenyl or (C₂₋₆)alkyl.
 6. The compound according to claim 5 wherein R¹ is ethenyl or ethyl.
 7. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R² is selected from —O—R²⁰ and —S—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ is defined as in claim 1, the R²⁰being optionally substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein R²⁰⁰ is defined as in claim
 1. 8. The compound according to claim 7 wherein R² is —O—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ is defined as in claim 7, the R²⁰ being optionally substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein R²⁰⁰ is defined as in claim
 7. 9. The compound according to claim 8 wherein R²⁰ is Het selected from

the Het being unsubstituted or substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein R²⁰⁰ is defined as in claim
 8. 10. The compound according to claim 9 wherein R²⁰⁰ is one to four substituents each independently selected from H, halogen, cyano, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, aryl, Het, —OR²⁰¹, —SR²⁰¹, —SOR²⁰¹ and —SO₂R²⁰¹; wherein (C₁₋₆)alkyl, aryl and Het are each optionally further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰; R²⁰¹ is in each case independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl optionally further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰; R²⁰⁰⁰ is in each case independently one to three substituents each independently selected from halogen, R²⁰⁰³, aryl, Het, —OR²⁰⁰¹, —SR²⁰⁰¹, —SOR²⁰⁰¹, —SO₂R²⁰⁰¹, cyano, and —N(R²⁰⁰²)(R²⁰⁰¹); wherein the aryl and Het are each optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents each independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl and —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl; R²⁰⁰¹ is in each case independently selected from aryl, aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, —C(O)—R²⁰⁰³, —C(O)O—R²⁰⁰³, —CON(R²⁰⁰²)(R²⁰⁰⁴) and R²⁰⁰⁴; R²⁰⁰² is in each case independently selected from H and (C₁₋₆)alkyl; R²⁰⁰³ is in each case independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl and (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, wherein the (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl and (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl- are each optionally substituted with one to three substituents each independently selected from (C₁₋₃)alkyl; R²⁰⁰⁴ is in each case independently selected from H and R²⁰⁰³; and Het is in each case independently a 5- 6- or 7-membered monocyclic saturated, unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle containing 1 to 4 heteroatoms each independently selected from N, O and S.
 11. The compound according to claim 9 wherein R²⁰ is Het of the formula

wherein R^(200d) is H, aryl, Het, or —OR²⁰¹, wherein Het is a 5- 6- or 7-membered monocyclic saturated, unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle containing 1 to 4 heteroatoms each independently selected from N, O and S and wherein the aryl and Het are each optionally further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰; R^(200e) is H or —OR²⁰¹; and R^(200f) is H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, halogen, —SR²⁰¹, —SO₂R²⁰¹, or —OR²⁰¹; wherein the (C₁₋₆)alkyl is optionally further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰; wherein R²⁰¹ is in each case independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl optionally further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰; R²⁰⁰⁰ is in each case independently one to three substituents each independently selected from halogen, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, aryl, —OR²⁰⁰¹, cyano, and —N(R²⁰⁰²)(R²⁰⁰¹); R²⁰⁰¹ is in each case independently selected from H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl and —COR²⁰⁰³; R²⁰⁰² is in each case independently selected from H and (C₁₋₆)alkyl; and R²⁰⁰³ is in each case independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl and (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-.
 12. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R³ is —C(O)OR³¹, wherein R³¹ is defined as in claim
 1. 13. The compound according to claim 12 wherein R³¹ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl optionally substituted with one to three halogen substituents.
 14. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R³ is —C(O)NR³²R³³, wherein R³² and R³³ are defined as in claim
 1. 15. The compound according to claim 14 wherein R³² and R³³ are each independently selected from H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, and Het, wherein Het is a 5- or 6-membered saturated, unsaturated or aromatic monocyclic heterocycle containing one to three heteroatoms each independently selected from N, O and S.
 16. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R³ is SO_(v)R³⁴, wherein v and R³⁴ are defined as in claim
 1. 17. The compound according to claim 16 wherein v is 2 and R³⁴is selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl and NR³²R³³, where R³² and R³³ are each independently selected from H and (C₁₋₆)alkyl.
 18. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R³ is —C(O)—R³⁵, wherein R³⁵ is defined as in claim
 1. 19. The compound according to claim 18 wherein R³⁵ is selected from: (a) (C₁₋₈)alkyl optionally substituted with one to three substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxyl, —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —S—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —SO—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —SO₂—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —O-phenyl, —S-phenyl, —SO-phenyl and —SO₂-phenyl, wherein the phenyl portion of the —O-phenyl, —S-phenyl, —SO-phenyl and —SO₂-phenyl are each optionally substituted with one to five halo substituents; (b) (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, each of which being optionally substituted with one to three substituents each independently selected from halo, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, aryl and hydroxyl; and (c) phenyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, phenyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl- or Het-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, each of which being optionally substituted with one to three substituents each independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl and hydroxyl; wherein Het is a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic heterocycle which is saturated, unsaturated or aromatic, containing one to three heteroatoms each independently selected from N, O and S.
 20. The compound according to claim 19 wherein R³⁵ is selected from (C₁₋₈)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, phenyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl- and Het-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, each of which being optionally substituted with hydroxyl.
 21. The compound according to claim 20 wherein R³⁵ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl optionally substituted with hydroxyl.
 22. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R⁴ is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl, ethenyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, phenyl, naphthyl, Het, phenylmethyl, naphthylmethyl and Het-methyl; a) each of which optionally being substituted with one to three substituents each independently selected from fluoro and methyl; and b) each of which optionally being substituted with one or two substituents each independently selected from hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, phenoxy and trifluoromethoxy; and c) each of which optionally being substituted with a substituent selected from chloro, bromo, cyano, nitro, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NHCH₃, —CO—N(CH₃)₂, —NH₂, —NH(CH₃) and —N(CH₃)₂; wherein Het is selected from thienyl, furyl, thiazolyl, benzothiazolyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, indolizinyl, isoindolyl, 3H-indolyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, tetrahydrothienyl, tetrahydrofuryl, thiadiazolyl, isoxazolyl, benzothienyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, and


23. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R⁴ is selected from cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl; a) each of which optionally being substituted with one, two or three fluoro substituents; and b) each of which optionally being substituted with one or two substituents each independently selected from hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, methoxy and trifluoromethoxy; and c) each of which optionally being substituted with a substituent selected from chloro, bromo, cyano, nitro, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NHCH₃, —CO—N(CH₃)₂, —NH₂, —NH(CH₃) and —N(CH₃)₂; and d) each of which being optionally substituted with (C₁₋₈)alkyl, wherein the (C₁₋₈)alkyl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxy, halogen, (C₂₋₁₀)alkenyl, (C₂₋₁₀)alkynyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₄₋₇)cycloalkenyl, aryl, aryloxy, and aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-O—, wherein each of the aryl and aryloxy is optionally substituted with (C₁₋₆)alkyl.
 24. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R⁴ is —N(R^(N2))(R^(N1)), wherein R^(N1) and R^(N2) are each independently selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 1-methylethoxy, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl and phenylmethyl; wherein the methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 1-methylethoxy, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl and phenylmethyl are optionally substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from halogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, hydroxy, cyano, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —COOH, and —COO(C₁₄)alkyl; or R^(N2) and R^(N1) are linked, together with the nitrogen to which they are bonded, to form a 3- 4-, 5- or 6-membered monocyclic saturated or unsaturated heterocycle, optionally containing from one to three further heteroatoms each independently selected from N, S and O, and optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents each independently selected from halogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, hydroxy, cyano, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —COOH, and —COO(C₁₋₄)alkyl.
 25. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R⁴ is selected from methyl, ethyl, 1-methylethyl, propyl, ethenyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, Het, phenyl,

—N(CH₃)—OCH₃ and —N(CH₃)₂; wherein Het is selected from

the Het being optionally substituted with phenoxy; and wherein the phenyl is optionally substituted with halogen; and wherein the cyclopropyl is optionally substituted at the 1-position with methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl, each of the methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl being optionally further substituted with phenyl, (C₃₋₆)cycloalkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl or (C₁₋₄)alkoxy.
 26. The compound according to claim 1 wherein n is 1 or 2; m is 1 or 2; R¹ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, or (C₂₋₆)alkynyl; wherein the (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, and (C₂₋₆)alkynyl are optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with from one to three halogen atoms; R² is selected from —NH—R²⁰, —O—R²⁰, —S—R²⁰, —SO—R²⁰, —SO₂—R²⁰, —OCH₂—R²⁰, and —CH₂O—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ is aryl or Het, wherein the aryl and Het are optionally substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein R²⁰⁰ is one to four substituents each independently selected from H, halogen, cyano, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, aryl, Het, oxo, thioxo, —OR²⁰¹, —SR²⁰¹, —SOR²⁰¹, —SOR²⁰¹, —N(R²⁰²)R²⁰¹, and —CON(R²⁰²)R²⁰¹; wherein each of the alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl and Het is optionally further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰; R²⁰¹ in each case is independently selected from H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, aryl, (C₂₋₄)alkenyl, (C₂₋₄)alkynyl, —CO—(C₁₋₆)alkyl and —CO—O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, wherein each of the alkyl and aryl is optionally further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰; R²⁰² is H or (C₁₋₆)alkyl; R²⁰⁰⁰ is one to three substituents each independently selected from halogen, R²⁰⁰³, aryl, Het, —OR²⁰⁰¹, —SR²⁰⁰¹, —SOR²⁰⁰¹, —SO₂R²⁰⁰¹, cyano and —N(R²⁰⁰²)(R²⁰⁰¹), wherein the aryl and Het are optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents each independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl and —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl; R²⁰⁰¹ in each case is independently selected from aryl, aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, —C(O)—R²⁰⁰³, —C(O)O—R²⁰⁰³, —CON(R²⁰⁰²)(R²⁰⁰⁴) and R²⁰⁰⁴; R²⁰⁰² in each case is independently selected from H and (C₁₋₆)alkyl; R²⁰⁰³ in each case is independently selected from (C₁₋₈)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, wherein the (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl and (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl- are optionally substituted with one to three substituents each independently selected from (C₁₋₃)alkyl; and R²⁰⁰⁴ in each case is independently selected from H or R²⁰⁰³; R³ is selected from: (i) —C(O)OR³¹ wherein R³¹ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl or aryl, wherein the (C₁₋₆)alkyl is substituted with one to three halogen substituents; (ii) —C(O)NR³²R³³, wherein R³² and R³³ are each independently selected from H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, and Het; (iii) —SO_(v)R³⁴ wherein v is 1 or 2 and R³⁴ is selected from: (C₁₋₆)alkyl, aryl, Het, and NR³²R³³ wherein R³² and R³³ are as defined above; and (iv) —C(O)—R³⁵, wherein R³⁵ is selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, aryl and aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, each of which are optionally substituted at one to three substitutable positions with one or more substituents each independently selected from halo, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, Het, —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxyl, and aryl; R⁴ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, aryl, Het, aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, or Het-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-; a) the (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₂₋₆)alkenyl, aryl, Het, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, and Het-(C₁₋₄)alkyl- optionally being substituted with nitro or substituted with one to three substituents each independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, cyano, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, O-aryl, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl and —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, wherein the (C₁₋₆)alkyl and O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl are optionally substituted with one to three halogen substituents; and b) the (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl being optionally substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from nitro, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, —O—(C₁₋₈)alkyl, (C₂₋₄)alkenyl, —OCF₃, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, tri(C₁₋₆)alkylsilyl, R⁴¹, —C(═O)—R⁴¹, —C(═O)OR , —C(═O)N(R⁴²)R⁴¹, —SO₂R , and —OC(═O)—R⁴¹; wherein R⁴¹ in each case is independently selected from: i) H, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₄₋₇)cycloalkenyl, Het, or aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-O—; ii) aryl or aryloxy, each of which being optionally substituted with (C₁₋₆)alkyl; and iii) (C₁₋₆)alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxy, halogen, (C₂₋₁₀)alkenyl, (C₂₋₁₀)alkynyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₄₋₇)cycloalkenyl, aryl, Het, aryloxy, and aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-O—, wherein each of the aryl and aryloxy is optionally substituted with (C₁₋₆)alkyl; and R⁴² is selected from H and (C₁₋₆)alkyl; or R⁴ is —N(R^(N2))(R^(N1)), wherein R^(N1) and R^(N2) are each independently selected from H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, aryl and aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-; wherein the (C₁₋₆)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, aryl and aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl- are optionally substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from halogen, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxy, cyano, O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —COOH, and —COO(C₁₋₆)alkyl; or R^(N2) and R^(N1) are linked, together with the nitrogen to which they are bonded, to form a 3- to 7-membered monocyclic saturated or unsaturated heterocycle optionally fused to at least one other cycle to form a heteropolycycle, the heterocycle and heteropolycycle optionally containing from one to three further heteroatoms each independently selected from N, S and O, and being optionally substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from halogen, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxy, cyano, O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —COOH, and —COO(C₁₋₆)alkyl; wherein Het as used herein is defined as a 3- to 7-membered heterocycle having 1 to 4 heteroatoms each independently selected from O, N and S, which may be saturated, unsaturated or aromatic, and which is optionally fused to at least one other cycle to form a 4- to 14-membered heteropolycycle having wherever possible 1 to 5 heteroatoms, each independently selected from O, N and S, the heteropolycycle being saturated, unsaturated or aromatic; with the proviso that when n is 1; m is 2; R¹ is ethyl or ethenyl; and R² is —O—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ is Het, wherein the Het is selected from:

and wherein the Het is optionally substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein R²⁰⁰ is one or two substituents each independently selected from methyl, methoxy, chloro, fluoro, hydroxy, phenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-(dimethylamino)phenyl, 4-cyanophenyl, and a group selected from:

R⁴ is cyclopropyl optionally substituted with propyl, cyclopropylmethyl or phenylmethyl; and R³ is —COOR³¹; then R³¹ is not 1,1-dimethylethyl; or a racemate, diastereoisomer, or optical isomer thereof, including a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 27. The compound according to claim 1 wherein m is 2; n is 1; R¹ is (C₂₋₆)alkenyl or (C₂₋₆)alkyl; R² is —O—R²⁰ and R²⁰ is Het selected from

wherein the Het is unsubstituted or substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein R²⁰⁰ is one to four substituents each independently selected from H, halogen, cyano, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, aryl, Het, —OR²⁰¹, —SR²⁰¹, —SOR²⁰¹ and —SO₂R²⁰¹; wherein (C₁₋₆)alkyl, aryl and Het are each optionally further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰; R²⁰¹ is in each case independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl optionally further substituted with R²⁰⁰⁰; R²⁰⁰⁰ is in each case independently one to three substituents each independently selected from halogen, R²⁰⁰³, aryl, Het, —OR²⁰⁰¹, —SR²⁰⁰¹, —SOR²⁰⁰¹, —SO₂R²⁰⁰¹, cyano, and —N(R ²⁰⁰²)(R ²⁰⁰¹); wherein the aryl and Het are each optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents each independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl and —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl; R²⁰⁰¹ is in each case independently selected from aryl, aryl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, —C(O)—R²⁰⁰³, —C(O)O—R²⁰⁰³, —CON(R²⁰⁰²)(R²⁰⁰⁴) and R²⁰⁰⁴; R²⁰⁰² is in each case independently selected from H and (C₁₋₆)alkyl; R²⁰⁰³ is in each case independently selected from (C₁₋₈)alkyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl and (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, wherein the (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl and (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl- are each optionally substituted with one to three substituents each independently selected from (C₁₋₃)alkyl; R²⁰⁰⁴ is in each case independently selected from H and R²⁰⁰³; and Het is in each case independently a 5- 6- or 7-membered monocyclic saturated, unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle containing 1 to 4 heteroatoms each independently selected from N, O and S. R³ is selected from: (i) —C(O)OR³¹, wherein R³¹ is (C₁₋₆)alkyl optionally substituted with one to three halogen substituents; (ii) —C(O)NR³²R³³, wherein R³² and R³³ are each independently selected from H, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, and Het, wherein Het is a 5- or 6-membered saturated, unsaturated or aromatic monocyclic heterocycle containing one to three heteroatoms each independently selected from N, O and S; (iii) SO_(v)R³⁴, wherein v is 2 and R³⁴ is selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl and NR³²R³³, where R³² and R³³ are each independently selected from H and (C₁₋₆)alkyl; and (iv) —C(O)—R³⁵ wherein R³⁵ is selected from: (a) (C₁₋₈)alkyl optionally substituted with one to three substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxyl, —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —S—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —SO—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —SO₂—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, —O-phenyl, —S-phenyl, —SO-phenyl and —SO₂-phenyl, wherein the phenyl portion of the —O-phenyl, —S-phenyl, —SO-phenyl and —SO₂-phenyl are each optionally substituted with one to five halo substituents; (b) (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl or (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-, each of which being optionally substituted with one to three substituents each independently selected from halo, (C₁₋₆)alkyl, aryl and hydroxyl; and (c) phenyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, phenyl-(C₁₋₆)alkyl- or Het-(C₁₋₆)alkyl-, each of which being optionally substituted with one to three substituents each independently selected from (C₁₋₆)alkyl and hydroxyl; and wherein Het is a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic heterocycle which is saturated, unsaturated or aromatic, containing one to three heteroatoms each independently selected from N, O and S; R⁴ is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl, ethenyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, phenyl, naphthyl, Het, phenylmethyl, naphthylmethyl and Het-methyl; a) each of which optionally being substituted with one to three substituents each independently selected from fluoro and methyl; and b) each of which optionally being substituted with one or two substituents each independently selected from hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, phenoxy and trifluoromethoxy; and c) each of which optionally being substituted with a substituent selected from chloro, bromo, CF₃, cyano, nitro, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NHCH₃, —CO—N(CH₃)₂, —NH₂, —NH(CH₃) and —N(CH₃)₂; wherein Het is selected from thienyl, furyl, thiazolyl, benzothiazolyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, indolizinyl, isoindolyl, 3H-indolyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, tetrahydrothienyl, tetrahydrofuryl, thiadiazolyl, isoxazolyl, benzothienyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, and

or R⁴ is selected from cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl; a) each of which optionally being substituted with one to three fluoro substituents; and b) each of which optionally being substituted with one or two substituents each independently selected from hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, methoxy and trifluoromethoxy; and c) each of which optionally being substituted with a substituent selected from chloro, bromo, cyano, nitro, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NHCH₃, —CO—N(CH₃)₂, —NH₂, —NH(CH₃) and —N(CH₃)₂; and d) each of which being optionally substituted with (C₁₋₈)alkyl, wherein the (C₁₋₈)alkyl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from —O—(C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxy, halogen, (C₂₋₁₀)alkenyl, (C₂₋₁₀)alkynyl, (C₃₋₇)cycloalkyl, (C₄₋₇)cycloalkenyl, aryl, aryloxy, and aryl-(C₁₋₄)alkyl-O—, wherein each of the aryl and aryloxy is optionally substituted with (C₁₋₆)alkyl; or R⁴ is —N(R^(N2))(R^(N1)), wherein R^(N1) and R^(N2) are each independently selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 1-methylethoxy, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl and phenylmethyl; wherein the methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 1-methylethoxy, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl and phenylmethyl are optionally substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from halogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, hydroxy, cyano, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —COOH, and —COO(C₁₋₄)alkyl; or R^(N2) and R^(N1) are linked, together with the nitrogen to which they are bonded, to form a 3- 4-, 5- or 6-membered monocyclic saturated or unsaturated heterocycle, optionally containing from one to three further heteroatoms each independently selected from N, S and O, and optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents each independently selected from halogen, (C₁₋₄)alkyl, hydroxy, cyano, O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —CO—NH₂, —CO—NH(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —CO—N((C₁₋₄)alkyl)₂, —COOH, and —COO(C₁₋₄)alkyl; with the proviso that when R¹ is ethyl or ethenyl; and R² is —O—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ is Het, wherein the Het is selected from:

and wherein the Het is optionally substituted with R²⁰⁰, wherein R²⁰⁰ is one or two substituents each independently selected from methyl, methoxy, chloro, fluoro, hydroxy, phenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-(dimethylamino)phenyl, 4-cyanophenyl, and a group selected from:

and R⁴ is cyclopropyl optionally substituted with propyl, cyclopropylmethyl or phenylmethyl; and R³ is —COOR³¹; then R³¹ is not 1,1-dimethylethyl.
 28. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-hepatitis C virally effective amount of a compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier medium or auxiliary agent.
 29. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 28 additionally comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one other antiviral agent.
 30. A method of treating or preventing a hepatitis C viral infection in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an anti-hepatitis C virally effective amount of a compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is administered in combination with at least one other antiviral agent, administered together or separately.
 32. A method of inhibiting the replication of hepatitis C virus by exposing the virus to a hepatitis C viral NS3 protease inhibiting amount of the compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 33. An article of manufacture comprising a composition effective to treat an HCV infection; and packaging material comprising a label which indicates that the composition can be used to treat infection by the hepatitis C virus; wherein the composition comprises a compound according to claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 34. A process for the preparation of a compound according to claim 1, comprising: a) reacting a compound of formula (II):

wherein R⁴ and m are defined as in claim 1, with a strong base so as to form the corresponding amide anion and b) reacting an azalactone of formula (III):

wherein R¹, R², R³, and n are defined as in claim 1, with the amide anion formed in step a).
 35. An azalactone intermediate compound of formula (III):

wherein R¹, R², R³ and n are defined as in claim
 1. 